Media Room

Chuck Zimmerman

Ned ArthurI think I’m the last one in the media room now. In fact, it closes in 20 minutes and they’re already tearing it down around me. Here’s Ned Arthur, Truffle Media Networks, hard at work earlier.

In case you’ve never seen these professionals in action Cindy shot a short video clip when things were very active. We had a record 145 media representatives here at Classic this year including some sort of “mainstream” media we don’t normally see.

Cindy took off to do some shopping a while ago and I’m ready for a break so I’m going to quit for now. However, you can expect to see and hear more from this year’s show right here on AgWired.

Thank you once again to Gene Hemphill, New Holland, for not only sponsoring AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic but the media room as well.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

BASF, Commodity Classic, Media, New Holland, Video

Manufacturers Support of Biodiesel

Chuck Zimmerman

Ed HeglandEd Hegland is a farmer from Minnesota and currently serving as Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board. He stopped by the New Holland booth here at the Commodity Classic trade show where I got to talk to him about how equipment manufacturers are supporting biodiesel.

Ed says that as a farmer he’s excited to see companies like New Holland and others following their lead to step up and help promote the use of biodiesel, a farm product.

I asked him what other things these companies can do besides providing warranty support for 100% biodiesel. He says that education would be one thing. He thinks the manufacturers need to make sure that dealers and distributors get the right information on usage and handling of biodiesel so customers will learn it and to make sure that they stress quality.

Listen to my interview with Ed Hegland here: cc-08-hegland.mp3

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Biodiesel, Commodity Classic, New Holland, Soybean

Commodity Classic Posts Record Numbers

Chuck Zimmerman

Soybean ManRegistration is now officially closed here at Commodity Classic and the final numbers have been posted.

4,534 Total Registration (record)
145 Total Media (record)
847 Booths (record)
1,479 Total Growers

The highest registered attendance of growers was 1,517 at the Las Vegas Classic in 2004. Still a pretty impressive showing here in Nashville.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Evan Slack iPhone Training

Chuck Zimmerman

Anita and EvanIt took 3 or 4 days but we’re pretty sure that Evan Slack, Evan Slack Network, showed everyone attending Commodity Classic how to use the iPhone. I’m hoping Apple is paying Evan a commission.

Here he’s showing Anita Vanderwert, Brownfield, how to check her stock quotes via the built in web browser. She doesn’t seem to be paying attention.

If you’re thinking of getting one then please give Evan a call.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

The 3 Amigos on Stage

Chuck Zimmerman

Commodity PresidentsEach year at the Commodity Classic general session we get to hear from the Presidents of the participating associations. Here they are on stage involved in an interactive discussion with moderator John Phipps. Pictured left to right are John Hoffman, ASA, Ron Litterer, NCGA and John Thaemert, NAWG.

John starts out wondering how in the world these three guys got so lucky as to be President this year when we’ve got such fantastic market prices. It’s a lively discussion which I hope you’ll enjoy.

Listen to the 3 Amigos here: cc-08-3-presidents.mp3

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, New Holland, Soybean, Wheat

Rick Tolman is NAMA Agribusiness Leader of the Year

Chuck Zimmerman

Rick TolmanEarlier this week the National Agri-Marketing Association announced that NCGA CEO Rick Tolman is their Agribusiness Leader of the Year. Here he’s standing next to their booth at the Commodity Classic trade show.

The award honors outstanding leaders in agribusiness, education, government service or other agribusiness related areas who exemplify excellence in agribusiness by their significant contributions to the industry.

“We congratulate Rick on this prestigious award,” said NCGA President Ron Litterer. “His commitment and dedication is apparent in the many accomplishments that benefit agriculture, especially in the areas of ethanol, trade, transportation, biotechnology, and farm policy.”

Tolman will receive the award April 17 at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, BASF, Corn, NAMA, New Holland

Classic Scholarships

Cindy Zimmerman

BASF, the American Soybean Association and the National Corn Growers Association are supporting the future of agriculture by awarding scholarships to young people working towards careers in the industry.

The first scholarship winners were announced today at a Commodity Classic news conference. I did interviews with all the winners who were here, which I will post later, but here is a group photo with the four students with (left to right) Adam Burnhams of BASF, ASA president John Hoffman, champion soybean grower Kip Cullers and NCGA chairman Ken McCauley.

The students pictured are – from left to right:
Lauren Schlosser of Missouri, James Seitzer of Minnesota and Catherine (Catie) Simpson of Colorado – all NCGA Academic Excellence in Agriculture scholarship winners – and Laura Stevens, a high school senior from Nebraska who won the first ever “Kip Cullers” Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) Scholarship.

(I assume you can figure out the difference between the students and the presenters!)

The other NCGA scholarship winners were Jason Buss of Illinois and Josh Yoder of Ohio. Congrats to all the winners. BASF will continue their sponsorship of this program next year and applications will be available from NCGA and ASA in the fall.

Listen to the scholarship awards press conference here:
cc-08-basf-scholarships.mp3

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, NCGA, New Holland, Soybean

BASF Family Affair

Cindy Zimmerman

The BASF theme at Commodity Classic this election year is all about family values – family of growers and family of products. And what better way to visualize that theme than in pictures.

The BASF booth is giving away disposable cameras and photo frames and encouraging their grower family members to go out and shoot pictures at the Classic and then return the cameras to have them developed.

World Champion soybean grower Kip Cullers paused to pose for a picture in the booth – and I just couldn’t resist the little cutie in the pink cowboy hat. Her proud papa is grower Kurt Hora from Washington, Iowa.

We have our own BASF Commodity Classic Flickr photo album on-line here for your viewing pleasure. This is separate from the general Classic photo album, since we have so many just from BASF events here!

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: BASF and New Holland

2008 Commodity Classic Photo Album

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board Appointments

Melissa Sandfort

white_milk_pour.jpgSecretary of Agriculture Edward T. Schafer announced the appointment of three incumbents and six new members to the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board.

Re-appointed to serve second terms are: Brian Haugh, Dallas, Texas and Michael A. Krueger, Phoenix, Ariz.

Re-appointed to serve a first term after filling a vacancy lasting less than 18 months is: Jay B. Simon, Stockton, Calif.

Newly appointed are: James F. Walsh, Lynnfield, Mass.; Michael R. Smith, Lakeland, Fla.; and Steven M. Turner, Covington, Tenn.

Newly appointed to fill vacancies lasting less than 18 months are: John R. Zuroweste, Dallas, Texas; Charles S. Mayfield, Jr., Athens, Tenn.; and Janey K. Thornton, PhD., Elizabethtown, Ky.

Terms for these appointees begin July 1, 2008, and expire June 30, 2011, except for Mssrs. Zuroweste and Mayfield, and Dr. Thornton, who are filling vacant positions with less than 18 months remaining and whose terms expire June 30, 2009. All appointees will be seated at the board meeting July 17-19, 2008.

Dairy