IFMA Attendees Experience Central Illinois Farming Practices

Cindy Zimmerman

IFMA 17It is one thing to listen to a lecture about the functions of a fully developed wind farm, but it is quite another to learn about the 265 ft. tall turbines as they turn in front of you. As the International Farm Management Association Congress (IFMA) continued today, attendees got to see several agricultural practices first hand throughout Central Illinois. One group toured the Twin Groves Wind Farm, Pioneer research center, and the Klein/Stoller Farm Partnership. It was a once in a lifetime experience for not only those attending the IFMA tours but also for those the giving the tours to learn from others in the international agriculture fields.

The first stop on the tour showcased an up and coming technique in utilizing farm land. The Twin Groves Wind Farm located in McLean County five miles east of the Central Illinois Regional Airport. The wind farm produces 396 megawatts of clean energy per year enough to power around 120,000 homes in Illinois. With over 240 massive turbines the Twin Groves Wind Farm is one of the largest in the country. Most people on the tour were surprise by the ease that the wind farm integrated with the traditional farming practices around it. The turbines themselves only use approximately an acre of land each, therefore, the owners of the land were still able to farm corn and soybeans with little interruption.

IFMA 17Next, the tour headed north to Princeton, Ill. to visit the research center of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. The center researches and develops hybrids of corn, soybeans, and other crops that are sold internationally. Each product is developed differently depending on the needs of each farmer and region that it is grown in. For example, one strain of corn has been engineered to require 50% less water than most corn grown in Illinois and is deemed “drought resistant.” This kind of corn is sold in very dry areas of Chile and South Africa. It was an eye-opening experience for several IMFA attendees to see the plant where the seed for their crops is produced.

The final stop on the tour showcased a working Central Illinois Farm. The Klein and Stoller families’ consolidated farm utilizes some of the latest technology in agriculture. The most intriguing aspect of the farm, however, was its operation system. It works as one large farm, yet each of the four managers are separate owners of the land. “I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the farm operations, with the families coming together and combining resources. There are huge advantages to the division of labor and specialization that occurs here,” said Doug Jose, an IMFA attendee from the University of Nebraska.

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Pioneer

Charles Holliday Receives George Washington Carver Award

Joanna Schroeder

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today presented the annual George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology to DuPont Chairman of the Board Charles (Chad) O. Holliday, Jr., recognizing his commitment to industrial biotechnology as a tool for sustainable business growth. The award was given during the 2009 World Congress underway in Montreal with more than 1,100 attendees.

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Chad Holliday with the GWCarver award and Mark Wright of Iowa State, the recipient of the Carver scholarship

The George Washington Carver Award was created in honor of George Washington Carver, who attended Iowa State University, and honors individuals in the private industry, government or academia who have made a significant contribution to the economic and innovative growth of the biotech industry. In addition, the efforts of the individual must focus on environmentally sustainable processes – more critical now than ever.

“Many of the technologies here today will help us address climate change,” said Holliday. He noted that while this is not the only issue facing the world today, it was one of the most critical and is confident that biotech companies, through innovation, will help to alleviate the issue.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, said, “BIO is pleased to recognize the contributions to the field of industrial biotechnology and outstanding accomplishments of DuPont Chairman Chad Holliday.”

Erickson continued, “George Washington Carver is considered one of the founding fathers of modern industrial biotechnology. Following his legacy, industrial biotechnology companies today are developing new methods to use renewable agricultural resources to manufacture fuels, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients. The field has developed in ways that Carver may never have imagined, but the work of industrial biotech companies remains true to the goal of a sustainable agricultural economy that includes production of useful everyday products.”

Holliday noted that he was “deeply honored” to recieve the award that recognizes and promotes the work toward the goal of developing new, sustainable products and technologies to help make peoples’ lives around the world more secure.

Accompanying the award is a George Washington Carver scholarship given in the name of Charles O. Holliday, Jr., to Iowa State University graduate student Mark Wright, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Biorenewable Resources and Technology. The award is sponsored by DSM, the Iowa Biotechnology Association and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Agribusiness, Biotech

Kelly Ferguson Rejoins The Meyocks Group

Chuck Zimmerman

Kelly FergusonThe folks at The Meyocks Group are very happy to have Kelly Ferguson back on the team.

Kelly Ferguson has rejoined The Meyocks Group, directing the agency’s market analysis and strategy efforts. He also serves on the agency’s management team.

A native of Clarinda, Iowa, Ferguson interned at the agency while completing a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management at Northwest Missouri State University. He joined The Meyocks Group full-time in 1998 as an account manager and a database account manager.

In 2002 Ferguson joined AGDATA, LP, in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he used data-mining and statistical analysis skills to improve clients’ marketing programs. He also earned an MBA in corporate finance from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

Agencies

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Rabobank announced the establishment of a Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Finance (REIF) team in the Americas, and the arrival of Thomas Emmons, Managing Director, as its head.
  • Darlington dairy producer, Jay Stauffacher, has been re-elected to a fifth term as chairman of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Stauffacher’s term began July 1, 2009 and concludes June 30, 2010.
  • AgriLabs is proud to announce the availability of America’s first conditionally licensed E. coli O157 vaccine for cattle, Salmonella Newport Bacterial Extract.
  • FCStone announced that veteran dairy industry expert Ken Bailey has joined the firm as a full-time consultant and broker.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Breakout Sessions Offer Global Perspectives

    Cindy Zimmerman

    IFMA 17Instead of traveling to 26 different countries to hear about the deregulation of South African dairy farmers or the sustainable practices of farms set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, IFMA 17 delegates can simply travel across the street to breakout sessions on the Illinois State University campus.

    With several broad categories to choose from, ranging from farm management to marketing and trade, delegates are guaranteed to find a topic that sparks their interest or match their specialization.

    Different academic voices present their papers for 20 minutes. There were a total of 39 presentations on Monday afternoon.

    If interested in hearing one of 33 more global agriculture discussions, attend the IFMA 17 Congress on Wednesday afternoon at Illinois State University.

    Bloomington, Ill. is only the second U.S. city to host this event in the Congress’ 38 year history. For a review of the complete itinerary, visit: http://imfa17.org.

    AgWired coverage of the IFMA 17 is made possible by Syngenta

    Uncategorized

    Sustainable Ag for Farming Future

    Cindy Zimmerman

    IFMA 17Populations are growing, diets are becoming healthier, land and water rights are being cracked down upon and the consumption of food is doubling as the years progress forward becomes, “The need for and acceptance of biotechnology in feeding a hungry world.”

    Kevin Eblen, of the Monsanto Company, set the stage for his presentation Monday with a video that talks about the commitment of sustainability. Sustainability is defined as development that meets the needs of the present with out compromising the ability of future generations.

    People’s lives are changing daily, with 70 percent of water being used by people and farmers and trying to develop better seeds by 2030. Things are going to have to change in the present to be sustainable for the future. Monsanto Company is trying its best to keep up with these demands of better seeds through biotechnology.

    Monsanto as a company is trying to increase cotton yields, with better seeds, almost doubling production by 2030. On average per year, the company invests $1 billion to breeding and harvesting techniques, agronomic practices and biotechnology. In funding these techniques, farmers can reap the benefits of having higher yield and more money to give back to the community. On a global level the “US is expanding corn yields at four times the rate of the European Union.” Everything is the same in the European Union, except for biotechnology. Biotechnology is the way to go for a better yield, but in the future, conserving more is going to be of great importance.

    Conservation is a key issue with regard to new farming techniques. In 1995, Monsanto created the first weed and insect free corn. The next is a climate resistant corn. People question these new corn seeds that could change planting techniques. Within this new seed corn, water consumption will decline and land can be used for other purposes for the increasing population. If the farmer stays with biotechnology corn, the added net income will be increased by $ 33.8 billion.

    Farmers and residents alike are going to have to partner up to think about the benefits of the future and understand that change is necessary for the survival of future generations.

    Normal, Ill. is only the second U.S. city to host this event in the Congress’ 38-year history. IFMA runs from July19-24.

    AgWired coverage of the IFMA 17 is made possible by Syngenta

    Uncategorized

    Economist Envisions “Golden Era of Agriculture”

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Jim WiesemeyerJim Wiesemeyer of Informa Economics told more than 300 attendees at the U.S. Grains Council‘s 49th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in San Diego this week that there may be a few more tough years for the economy but there will eventually be a light at the end of the tunnel, and farmers will flourish.

    “Once the US and world economy turns around, US agriculture will return in what I call perhaps the beginning years of the ‘Golden Era of Agriculture’ because of the rise of the rest,” Jim told me his main message was for the USGC delegates. “As Asian and Latin American countries increase their middle class, they’ll have the cash to buy good old protein products from the U.S.”

    He urges producers and commodity groups to “think visionary” and consider all moves in terms of competitiveness. In addition, he strongly suggests that producers to put a pencil to the ACRE program – which he thinks will benefit many, especially Midwest corn growers – before the August 14 deadline.

    See photos from the USGC Delegate Meeting here on Flickr.

    Listen to or download my interview with Jim here:

    Audio, USGC

    Corn Growers Work With Grains Council

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Darrin Ihnen and Ron LittererLeaders from the National Corn Growers Association were among those in attendance at the U.S. Grains Council delegates meeting this week in San Diego, including First Vice President Darrin Ihnen of South Dakota and Chairman Ron Litterer from Iowa.

    I talked to Darrin about a number of topics, including how NCGA works with USGC. “We work very well together,” Darrin said. “The Grains Council is kind of the export arm of the corn industry and so from the National Corn Growers perspective, we need our sister organization to handle our exports. We do export roughly 15-20 percent of our corn crop, so that’s a very important market for us.”

    He says the export outlook is not as good as it was a year ago because the world economy and the recession have taken their toll and growers are looking at producing another huge crop this year. “We gotta find a home for all this corn,” Darrin says.

    See photos from the USGC Delegate Meeting here on Flickr.

    Listen to or download my interview with Darrin here:

    Audio, Corn, NCGA, USGC

    Students Share Experiences of Grain Mission Trip

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Amy Berry and Michelle Euken The U.S. Grains Council’s 49th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting luncheon on Monday featured two college seniors who shared their experiences as participants of the recent International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership (I-CAL) annual mission to Vietnam and China.

    Amy Berry, senior at the University of Wyoming, and Michelle Euken, senior at Iowa State University, told more than 300 attendees of their “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity as two of twelve top U.S. agricultural students from eight different states who were selected for this year’s I-CAL program, a cooperative effort of The Grains Foundation and the National FFA Organization intended to help educate future agricultural leaders about export market development.

    “The I-CAL program is an awesome opportunity for students to get involved overseas and really learn international markets and opportunities abroad,” Michelle told me after their presentation.

    “The work that the Grains Council does is real and it helps producers here by thinking globally and solving problems that producers couldn’t do alone,” Amy says. “It definitely changed my perspective.”

    See photos from the USGC Delegate Meeting here on Flickr.

    Listen to or download my interview with Amy and Michelle here:

    Audio, Grains, International, Trade, USGC

    Being Part of the Journey

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Lori TiemannOne Nebraska farmer’s wife got a greater appreciation of the impact U.S. agricultural producers have on the global economy when she was able to be a part of America’s Heartland “Journey of the Corn.”

    During the spouses breakfast at the U.S. Grains Council delegates meeting on Monday, Lori Tiemann shared some of her journey to Taiwan and China with her husband Alan. “I did not know what happened to our grain after it left Nebraska,” Lori said. “It was amazing.”

    See photos from the USGC Delegate Meeting here on Flickr.

    Listen to or download my interview with Lori here:

    Audio, Grains, USGC