ABN Radio To Relocate to WOSU Facility

Chuck Zimmerman

Andy Vance and Lindsay HillIt seemed like the ABN Show midday here at the Farm Science Review. The BARN has a nice barn. Here’s Andy and Lindsay just before their big announcement today.

Basically, ABN is partnering with WOSU Radio and will be relocating their studios to WOSU facilities in Columbus in early 2009.

It seems like WOSU grew so much that they had to move into new studios opening up this opportunity for ABN. WOSU is the University of Ohio radio station.

You can hear Andy’s comments at their press conference here: fsr-08-andy-vance.mp3

You can hear Lindsay’s comments here: fsr-08-lindsay-hill.mp3

Andy Vance and Lindsay Hill with Dr. E. Gordon GeeAlso on hand to commemorate the announcement was University of Ohio President, Dr. E. Gordon Gee. He said this was an exciting day for him since ABN Radio founder (deceased), Ed Johnson, was his friend and he knows that Ed would be proud of this announcement and to see Andy and Lindsay carry on his legacy.

You can hear Dr. Gee’s comments here: fsr-08-gee.mp3

Farm Science Review Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the Farm Science Review is being sponsored by Monsanto and the Propane Research and Education Council.

Audio, Farm Science Review, Media, Propane

Cathedral to Fertilizer

Cindy Zimmerman

Urea CenterAGROTAIN International and parent company Lange-Stegmann today celebrated the grand opening of a $20 million expansion project in St. Louis.

The Stabilized Nitrogen Center and the St. Louis Urea Center represent the country’s first urea plant using phase modification and the nation’s largest inland urea import terminal – or as one AGROTAIN official called the project, a “Cathedral to Fertilizer.”

The grand opening was a glorious event and I have lots of interviews to share later when I get back to home base. Meanwhile, enjoy the photos – I took a bunch of them!

AGROTAIN Grand Opening Photo Album

Agribusiness, Fertilizer

Farm Science Review Media Center

Chuck Zimmerman

FSR Media CenterWell here I am at the Farm Science Review. It’s a beautiful day after what apparently was some bad weather from Hurricane Ike earlier this week. A hurricane hitting Ohio. That’s different.

It has caused some challenges though like me not having a room since the hotel I was supposed to stay in is closed due to no electricity. I did get another one though.

I’ll be here doing interviews with my sponsors from Monsanto and the Propane Research and Education Council. I’ve already got a photo album started too. This picture is of the show’s media center.

Farm Science Review Photo Album

Farm Science Review, Propane

Heading to Farm Science Review

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Science ReviewAnother day, off to another farm show. After Cindy and I got in to St. Louis last night we re-grouped and re-packed. She’s going to be attending an event for Agrotain in St. Louis today while I’m on my way to Columbus, OH and the Farm Science Review.

This will be my first time at the show and you’ll be seeing interviews with coverage sponsors, Monsanto and the Propane Education and Research Council.

I’ll get in early this afternoon and probably start posting later today.

2008 Features at a Glance

* This is the 46th Farm Science Review, the 26th at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center.
* Hundreds of demonstration plots and several million dollars worth of machinery.
* Nineteenth-year inductions into the Farm Science Review Hall of Fame.
* Ohio Farmer Conservation Awards; Thursday at 11:30.
* OSU Central, featuring demonstrations and displays from OSU colleges and departments.
* Lots of farm safety, home safety and health information.
* Global Positioning Systems (GPS) hands-on demonstrations in the demonstration fields.
* Expanded programs on conservation practices in the Gwynne Conservation Area.
* An arts and crafts exhibit tent.
* Permanent washroom facilities with diaper changing stations.

Field Demonstrations

Harvesting, strip-tilling, global positioning, and tillage demonstrations will take place every day. Check the schedule for demonstration times.

We expect to completely fill the commercial exhibit area this year, with about 600 exhibitors from all over North America in the Central Exhibit Area.

Farm Science Review, Farm Shows, Propane

Franz Fischler Concludes The Congress

Chuck Zimmerman

Franz FischlerI like the way Fran Fischler, President of the IFAJ Congress 2008, started his remarks at the end of the event.

“Everything has already been said but not by everybody.” He then proceeded to thank all the people who worked to make this Congress a reality, including all the sponsors.

He pointed out how different farming is around the world. Speaking of the small farms in Austria and Slovenia he said, “I think you have a feeling now that this way of farming can also be successful.” He said that we need to accept that in our world there are many different ways to farm.

You can listen to Franz Fischler’s remarks here: ifaj-08-fischler-goodby.mp3

IFAJ Congress 2008 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2008 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred and Novus International

Audio, IFAJ, International, Novus International, Pioneer

Mike Wilson is New IFAJ President

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike WilsonThe new President of IFAJ is Mike Wilson, Farm Progress Companies.

On one of the early nights of the IFAJ Congress we held a little private reception for Mike after a dinner in Graz, Austria. It was a surprise and I think you can see that in his face in this picture. We were at a very nice place right near the University where our dinner was held. Attending were those of us from the American delegation and a number of other folks who wanted to wish Mike a special congratulations on his new responsibilities.

Mike WilsonThen during our final dinner of the IFAJ Congress in Portoroz Mike took the microphone as the new man in charge.

He made it clear that he is going to carry on the efforts started by David Markey. “I just wanted to say thank you to David and thank you to all of you for the confidence you have placed in me and I won’t let you down.”

Mike did take off his jacket and tie later in the evening to get up on stage and play with Quasimojo. More on that later.

You can listen to Mike’s remarks here: ifaj-08-wilson-close.mp3

IFAJ Congress 2008 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2008 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred and Novus International

Audio, IFAJ, Novus International, Pioneer

David Markey Relinquishes The Reins

Chuck Zimmerman

David MarkeyThe final night’s activities at the IFAJ Congress was a historic event for me. The only IFAJ President I’ve ever known up until this Congress was David Markey and this was when he turned the reins over to a new leader.

I can tell you one thing. When you’ve got a group of people from countries all over the world it can be a challenge to get them all heading in the same direction. However, when David takes the microphone, people stop talking and listen.

Before he said his goodbyes though, he distributed some medals and mementos to the people who made this year’s Congress happen. One of those was the President of the Congress, Franz Fischler.

David MarkeyThen David had some time to talk about his opportunity to serve IFAJ as President. If you know David then you know that he’s a professional and a businessman. I think he brought the organization a new outlook that has helped it to grow significantly. He looks at things a little differently than your average person with an insight that comes from years of successful business management.

For example, he said, “I always believe change is good. No matter how much it challenges us, change is the only way we can bring out the best in us.”

David received a number of gifts in honor of his service. One of those was this book of photos presented by new IFAJ President Mike Wilson.

You can listen to David’s remarks here: ifaj-08-markey-goodby.mp3

IFAJ Congress 2008 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2008 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred and Novus International

Audio, IFAJ, Novus International, Pioneer

When Did You Use One of These Last?

Chuck Zimmerman

Slovenian Telephone BoothsHere’s something you just don’t see much any more. Telephone booths. I remember when we used to be able to unscrew the mouthpieces and plug our recorders into them with alligator clips to send audio back home. I also remember moving to Missouri and stopping at one of these in north Illinois during the winter to call home when the wind chill was about 10 below. I like emailing or uploading from the warm comfort of my room now!

This is in Portoroz, Slovenia. One of the many sights I’ll remember. Cindy and I did a walk around one morning and saw kiwi fruit growing outside the local Catholic Church. They had it growing over a trellis at the entrance. There’s a picture of it in the photo album. That’s something I’ve never seen before either.

IFAJ Congress 2008 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2008 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred and Novus International

IFAJ, Novus International, Pioneer, Technology

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Abengoa Bioenergy is building an ethanol plant on a 79-acre site in the Tri-City Regional Port District in Madison, Ill. Construction is under way, and the plant is expected to be in operation by late 2009. It will produce an estimated 88 million gallons of ethanol a year from corn and other cereal grains.
  • The 2008 Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) annual conference will be held Nov. 9-11, 2008 at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz. This yearly event examines best-practice strategies for competitive growth. Go online (education section) for details and to register.
  • Pioneer Hi-Bred has partnered with the Pork Checkoff and PIC to offer scholarships to college students considering a graduate degree program in a swine science discipline or planning a career in the pork industry. Click here for information on how to apply and on the industry sponsors of these awards. Scholarship applications and supporting materials must be received by Sept. 15. Scholarship will be awarded for the 2008-2009 school year.
  • A new white paper from Onset, Guidelines for Successful Soil Temperature Monitoring, provides guidance and tips on how data loggers can be effectively used to monitor soil temperatures in various conditions. A range of topics are covered, from soil temperature influence on insects and vegetation to siting considerations and data logger installation. Download the white paper here.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Passing The IFAJ Flag

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Passing The IFAJ FlagThe IFAJ Congress has concluded but AgWired coverage of the event has not. Over the next several days I’ll be featuring more interviews and video clips. Our schedule and internet access has worked against me a little bit. Cindy and I just got back into Graz where we’ll fly out early tomorrow for St. Louis. At the moment, the internet access here in the hotel is not working. However, I was able to get online behind the desk in the lobby.

    So, the photo album is updating as I type. This photo is of the passing of the IFAJ flag from the Austria/Slovenia delegation, represented by Franz Fischler to the American delegation, represented by new IFAJ President Mike Wilson. This is an annual tradition when the current host country passes the flag over to the country that will host the Congress next year (Ft. Worth, TX).

    We had a great dinner last night and you can find photos from it in the album. So until I get a little more time online, enjoy the pictures.

    IFAJ Congress 2008 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2008 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred and Novus International

    IFAJ, Novus International, Pioneer