Why Do You Attend Trends in Agriculture?

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Trends in AgricultureI would have had more posted from the NAMA Trends in Agriculture conference last night but we had major web server work being done. That’s my excuse.

That’s all done with though so expect to see much more today here on AgWired. Let’s start with this.

I asked some of the folks attending why they are here: trends-08-collage.mp3

And of course there’s a photo album started that’s combined with the NAFB Convention here: NAMA/NAFB Photo Album.

AgWired coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture/NAFB Convention is being sponsored by:

DTN/The Progressive Farmer.

Audio, NAFB, NAMA

Growth Energy Launch

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth EnergyWhen it comes to ethanol organizations, it’s the more the merrier, according to the organizers of a new group called Growth Energy.

“We believe the more associations, the better,” said Jeff Broin, CEO of POET, during a press conference this morning announcing the new organization.

The main focus of the new group is on dispelling the myth perpetuated by the food industry that ethanol is responsible for increased food prices. “The organization will be dedicated to promoting clean, green ethanol as America’s best renewable fuel that is high-tech and homegrown, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Broin.

If you want to listen to the entire 30 minute press conference (with the videos they showed edited out) – here it is. Kind of interesting. growth-energy-edit.mp3

Ethanol

Zimfo Bytes

chelsea

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Equine Promotions, Inc. and the Country Living Association are excited to announce a new event targeting the rural lifestyle and all it encompasses. The Country Lifestyle Experience will showcase everything from agriculture to alternative energy sources.
  • Farm Journal and Farm Foundation are collaborating to present the first Food and Agriculture Policy Summit. Slated for Dec. 2–4 in Washington D.C., the Summit will feature three days of programs examining critical domestic and global issues facing agriculture and the food system.
  • Agri-Inject now offers Mister Mist’r® Ultra™, a new generation of their injection check valve for injection systems. Mister Mist’r Ultra combines the best features of the original plus incorporates new technology and material for even better performance.
  • Syngenta has signed and closed an agreement to acquire SPS Argentina SA (SPS), a company primarily specialized in the development, production and marketing of soybean, corn and sunflower.
Zimfo Bytes

Back Forty Blog

Chuck Zimmerman

Back FortyI just learned about the Back Forty blog since cappressglw is now following me on Twitter.

This is a gathering place for people who have found their patch of ground to grow what they like, raise the animals they like and stretch out a bit without the neighbors peering in through the side window. Call it a small farm, hobby farm, ranchette, living the rural lifestyle or going ruralpolitan, it’s all about people getting in touch with the land.

Media

A Smile At The End Of A Monday

Chuck Zimmerman

Thanks to one of my Facebook friends I got a link to this video/song which I think is hilarious. It’s Monday. Time to lighten up and relax.

I’m lobbying for them to perform at an NAFB Convention. What do you think? Actually, they’ve got another video that might be more appropriate.

See you in KC, MO.

Post Update: Chelsea says I should warn you that there are some “adult” words in this video.

Video

Ethanol Producers Form Growth Energy

Chuck Zimmerman

Growth EnergyI just found out about that new ethanol group being formed. It’s called Growth Energy.

Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home.

The organization will be dedicated to promoting clean, green ethanol as America’s best renewable fuel that is high-tech and homegrown, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. In addition, the organization will release a new policy brief and announce a new advertising campaign focused on dispelling one of the major myths about ethanol production.

The new organization will have a press conference tomorrow which we’ll participate in and have more information to share then.

Ethanol

Zimfo Bytes

chelsea

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Novus International, a leader in animal health and nutrition, recently announced the appointment of Dr. Nasser Odetallah as Product Manager, Enzymes and Probiotics. Dr. Odetallah’s primary responsibility will be to increase the brand awareness and sale of CIBENZA™ feed additives and other Novus enzyme and probiotic products.
  • Vyta Corp now controls 100% ownership interest in BIOAGRA, LLC, and Paul H. Metzinger, President and CEO of Vyta Corp, becomes the sole Manager, and only executive officer of BIOAGRA, LLC.
  • Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encourages Iowa fuel retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for the Secretary’s Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards, which recognize fuel retailers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to sell renewable fuels. Awards are presented for both the marketing of ethanol and biodiesel.
  • BBI International will move its corporate headquarters from Salida, Colorado, to the Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colorado, by the end of the year. The privately held media, events, consulting and engineering firm will also consolidate its event logistics, marketing and media operations in Grand Forks, North Dakota, effective immediately.
Zimfo Bytes

New Ethanol Group Being Formed

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff BroinAccording to Mr. Ethanol, Jeff Broin, CEO, POET we’re about to hear of a new organization that will help open new markets for the renewable fuel.

When I spoke to Jeff at last week’s Project LIBERTY field day he said that an issue that presents a challenge to the ethanol industry is the regulatory cap which limits ethanol to 10 percent of the fuel supply – and the industry is bumping up on it now. He says they need access to more markets. For that reason a new ethanol organization is being formed. “We actually are just in the process of working with many other ethanol producers and several ag companies to create a new organization that’s going to drive that agenda forward.” He says we’ll hear more about it shortly.

I also asked him what he thinks about the results of our Presidential election. He says, “President-Elect Obama, is going to be I think very, very strong for ethanol.” In fact, Jeff says that POET had one of Obama’s top advisors on energy at their grand opening in Ohio just a couple weeks ago and she stated that he would like to see the RFS increase to 60 billion gallons which Jeff says, “is a great thing for farmers, it’s a great thing for agriculture, it’s a great thing for ethanol.”

You can listen to my interview with Jeff here: poet-liberty-08-broin-2.mp3

You can also download the interview with this link (mp3).

Project LIBERTY Field Day Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol

Farm Safety Quiz at NAFB Trade Talk

Chuck Zimmerman

Progressive Agriculture FoundationNAFB Trade Talk is this Thursday. Cindy and I will be there with our golden ZimmComm microphones. There are a lot of organizations exhibiting again this year. Feel free to let me know what you’ve got planned and we’ll feature it here on AgWired. Let’s take the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day Program as an example. They’re doing a “Farm Safety Quiz” at Trade Talk.

WHAT:

Provide your listeners tips to help keep children safe on the farm and ranch by taking the Safety Quiz offered by the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day™ program. You ask the quiz questions, and we’ll provide the answers and reasons why.

This is just one way the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program works to help keep children safe and healthy on the farm, ranch and at home.

WHO:

Beth Horak, Extension educator from Western, Neb., has been involved with this program for nearly 15 years and also serves as coordinator for the Nebraska Rural Health and Safety Coalition.

YOU ASK THE QUESTIONS (samples):

How many passengers, at most, are ATVs designed to handle?

• None • One
• Two • Three

How fast can a stick or toy fly out of a lawnmower discharge chute?

• 10 miles per hour • 20 miles per hour
• 200 miles per hour • 500 miles per hour

If you have no other safe place for a child to stay while you drive a tractor, it is OK to let them ride in a tractor cab with you.

True or False?

How long does it take for a child to become hopelessly trapped in flowing grain?

• Less than 6 seconds • Less than 1 minute
• Less than 2 minutes • More than 5 minutes

WHERE & WHEN:

• Trade Talk Booth # 12, Hosted by Fertilizer Institute/Nutrients for Life

Ag Groups, NAFB