Commodity Classic Media Room Etiquette

Chuck Zimmerman February 26, 2009

This was part of the buzz in ag media at Commodity Classic today. You can click on the photo to get a big enough version to read.

Commodity Classic Media Room Etiquette. Are you kidding? What’s that all about? I’ve never heard of such a thing and I dare say I’ve been to a few media rooms and not just for ag events. I’d love for you to post your comments, especially items 4 and 6.

The rules here for media are getting a little bit “over the top.” No other organization or media room that I have worked in is quite this severe and strict and none of them ever have any problems other than an occasional incident here and there. I for one am quite happy to have a public relations professional, farmer or company representative able to visit the media room. Most are very courteous and respectful of the fact that the media room is a working environment. I’d use the media room that NCBA runs for the Cattle Industry Convention as an example of one of the best that I know of. Or perhaps the Farm Progress Show media tent, which is also sponsored by New Holland.

2009 Commodity Classic Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2009 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: and

Commodity Classic

Hugh Whaley Joins Broadhead+Co

Chuck Zimmerman February 26, 2009

3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Hugh Whaley has a new job. (old farm broadcasters will get the 3,2,1 thing) This was the only picture I could find quickly of Hugh (far right). Hugh will be the director of Broadhead+Co.’s association and federal government practice. Major congratulations to Hugh and to Dean Broadhead.

“I’m very excited and honored to be invited to join the top-notch professionals at Broadhead + Co,” said Whaley. “I’ve had the unique privilege of competing against Dean and his staff in the past, and I’m now proud to call Broadhead my professional home.”

Hugh Whaley served as head of the Association Business sector for over 12 years at Osborn & Barr in St. Louis. He led a team of 20 professionals responsible for strategic and tactical advertising, public relations and issues management communications programs, primarily for agricultural producer-funded organizations, not-for-profit associations and U.S. Government agencies.

“Hugh will provide veteran leadership to our government and association team that has deep roots in the nation’s capital,” said Dean Broadhead, President|CEO. “We are an agency that has always valued experience, making Hugh’s extraordinary background and keen instincts a natural fit.”

Whaley has held numerous leadership positions with a number of organizations including the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) and the NAFB Foundation, the American Society of Association Executives, National Agri-Marketing Association and the St. Louis Agri-Business Club. Hugh received a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Purdue University, and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Agencies

BASF Kixor is Cutting Edge

Cindy Zimmerman February 26, 2009

As BASF prepares to introduce its new Kixor™ herbicide this year, the media got a preview of the “Science Behind” this new product at the Commodity Classic on Wednesday.

Kixor is cutting-edge chemistry that basically kicks weed butt. It offers rapid burndown and residual control of more than 90 broadleaf weeds, including the toughest weeds that have become more tolerant of glyphosate, and has been shown to be safe on more than 30 crops, including corn, sorghum, soybeans, cereals, tree fruits and nuts.

Rex Liebl, Global Herbicide Marketing for BASF says their goal was to create a new breed of protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO) inhibitor with high levels of weed control and crop selectivity.

You can listen an interview with Rex here: basf-kixor-rex.mp3

Download Rex’s interview here: Rex Liebl

BASF Technical Market Manager Dan Westberg oversaw more than 1,700 U.S. field trials for Kixor in 38 states. “Our results showed that Kixor provides fast, complete burndown of all major broadleaf weeds,” said Dan. He talked specifically about the results in both corn and soybeans.

Listen to Dan’s interview here: basf-kixor-dan.mp3

Download Dan’s interview here: Dan Westberg

See this previous post on Agwired from last year’s Kip Cullers field day for a video of Dan demonstrating the efficacy of Kixor.

Check out the BASF at Commodity Classic photo album here – only photos of BASF events at Classic!

AgWired coverage of the 2009 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: and

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, Soybean

Classic as Big as Texas

Cindy Zimmerman February 26, 2009

The farm economy is apparently not hurting as much as other sectors, since attendance at the 2009 Commodity Classic is expected to be as good or better than last year. According to the conference organizers, pre-registrations by the end of last week were virtually the same as last year, although the number of farmers registered was already higher.

Now, that could be because we have a new commodity added to the mix this year – for the first time the producer organizations representing corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum are all meeting together under one roof.

I would also note that media attendance is very strong. Over 100 media were pre-registered for the conference and I have seen pretty much everyone I know in the industry already.

Lots of meetings and sessions are already happening, the trade show opens this afternoon and the general session is tomorrow morning.

2009 Commodity Classic Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2009 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: and

BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, NCGA, New Holland, sorghum, Soybean, Wheat

Commodity Classic Has Started

Chuck Zimmerman February 26, 2009

Cindy and I arrived yesterday at Commodity Classic here in Grapevine, TX. She got in before me to work with our sponsor, BASF, and I got in later after finishing up duties at the National Ethanol Conference. The evening was devoted to catching up with friends and clients. BASF hosted a group of media representatives to a wonderful evening of “Diamonds and Denim.”

The event included the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and of course that made for a photo opportunity.

I’m getting started on things a little slower than normal this morning but we’ll get into high gear today with interviews, pictures and more. From what I’ve heard, attendance is very good which seems a little surprising but that’s great news. So stay tuned AgWired fans as we cover one of the premier events in agriculture.

For you Twitterers, please use this hashtag in your tweets: #cclasic. You know what I mean.

Photos are already being collected into the: 2009 Commodity Classic Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2009 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: and

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

New BASF Crop Protection VP at Classic

Cindy Zimmerman February 25, 2009

Nevin McDougall, new BASF Group Vice President for the North America Crop Protection took part in the third annual “Science Behind” symposium at the Commodity Classic on Wednesday, which focused on BASF’s new Kixor herbicide.

“We made the decision in 2003 to develop Kixor despite predictions that the herbicide market would decline and despite the fact that competitors were walking away from herbicides,” said Nevin. “BASF is committed to innovation and new chemistries because that is the only way our industry will meet the global demand for food and fiber in the future.”

You can listen an interview with Nevin here: basf-nevin.MP3

Download Nevin’s interview here: Nevin McDougall BASF

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic

Kixor Kicks Off Commodity Classic

Cindy Zimmerman February 25, 2009

For the third year in a row, BASF has helped kick off the Commodity Classic with its “Science Behind” symposium. This year the symposium focused on Kixor™ herbicide, which BASF is introducing this year.

Helping to explain the science behind Kixor was Bryan Young, professor of Weed Science and Agronomy at Southern Illinois University who talked about why new chemistries are needed to help growers control weeds, especially in corn and soybeans. “We need the new chemistry that provides value that growers can see to make week management more diverse and to curb the risk of getting resistant weeds,” Bryan said.

You can listen an interview with Bryan here: basf-kixor-bryan.mp3

Download Bryan’s interview here: Bryan Young on Kixor

BASF, Commodity Classic

Global Renewable Fuels Alliance Formed

Chuck Zimmerman February 25, 2009

At the Conference today, the Renewable Fuels Association, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and the European Bioethanol Fuel Association announced the formation of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance. Pictured are (l-r), Bliss Baker, Executive Director, Global Renewable Fuels Alliance; Gordon Quaiattini, President, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association; Robert Veirhout, Secretary General, European Bioethanol Industry Organization; Bob Dinneen, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association.

Their first initiative is to reach out to the World Bank, along with other organizations, to encourage them to make investments in developing countries’ biofuels infrastructure a top priority.

While Brazil is not yet a part of this organization, Bliss Baker, Executive Director, of the Global Renewable FuelsAlliance, said that they have spoken and invited them, along with dozens of other worldwide organizations, to join the alliance. Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association followed up by saying, “Quite frankly, we expect them to join.”

Gordon Guaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, stressed the importance of helping developing countries develop their agricultural productivity. “Agriculture productivity and poverty are directly linked.” He wants this new organization to take a similar approach that leading agricultural groups have which includes helping developing countries adopt more sustainable practices while increasing output. He said that they will ensure that biofuels are developed in a sustainable manner that will allow poverty stricken areas to significantly increase their economic condition.

As energy is a global issue, this new alliance, which represents 60 percent of the global biofuels production and 29 countries, will focus on ensuring that international biofuels policies are sustainable, and developed in a way that each countries’ best interest as the center of all decisions.

You can listen to the full press conference here: nec-09-grfa-conference.mp3

2009 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Ethanol, RFA

Tom Buis Moves To Growth Energy In March

Chuck Zimmerman February 25, 2009

As our sources predicted, Growth Energy announced this morning that Tom Buis, NFU, will be their new CEO starting March 16. They also announced that former Congressman Jim Nussle, IA, will be on the board as an advisor.

Growth Energy today announced Tom Buis, recent president of the National Farmers Union, as the new CEO of the organization and former Congressman Jim Nussle as Special Advisor to the Board of Directors. The announcement comes on the heels of the news that General Wesley Clark will serve as Growth Energy’s National Co-Chairman.

“I’m excited to take on this new role as CEO of Growth Energy. Through my work with farmers over the past several decades, I’ve seen firsthand how ethanol can be an American solution to our economic and energy challenges,” said Buis. “As CEO of Growth Energy, I look forward to working with the Obama administration and Members of Congress to demonstrate how increased use of ethanol can continue to be an engine for job growth and a critical part of our renewable energy future.”

In addition to running the day-to-day operations for Growth Energy, Buis will work with the board to set the policy agenda for the organization. He will assume his responsibilities on March 16, 2009. Former Congressman Jim Nussle of Iowa will join the Board of Directors of Growth Energy as Special Advisor.

I was on the call via Skype. You can listen to the press conference here: growth-energy-press-conf-buis-nussle.mp3

Ag Groups, Audio, Ethanol

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort February 25, 2009

DuPont unveiled the latest innovation to increase agricultural productivity – nicknamed Boreas — mobile wind machines that test the ability of higher-yielding experimental corn hybrids to withstand violent windstorms that cause significant standability issues and subsequent yield loss.
Pioneer Hi-Bred unveiled Optimum Brand Innovations, the brand name of a new family of traits, products and accompanying programs that enable growers to be more productive with choices to meet their individual needs.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the final rule for the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) program will go into effect as scheduled on March 16. The rule, published in the Federal Register on Jan.15, 2009, has been under regulatory review by USDA pursuant to a Jan. 20, 2009, memorandum from the President’s Chief of Staff.

Zimfo Bytes

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