One of the fun things I’m doing here at the Alltech Symposium is a series of video “man on the street” interviews with participants. I’ve done about 6 so far, all from different countries. I started out easy with an American from Ohio by the name of John Nesbett.
Finding a Seat For Opening Session
There are almost 1,700 participants here at the Alltech Symposium and they all gather outside the doors before the opening general session kicks off. Then it’s a sort of rush to get to choice seats although I don’t think there’s a bad one in the facility.
I was fortunate to get inside early and took a short video clip so you can see what it’s like, especially if you’re planning on attending next year.
Kentucky Silk is a Fine Coffee Experience
It’s called “Kentucky Silk” and it’s another innovation from Alltech. This stuff will get you going in the morning, or evening, or whenever.
This morning as we arrived at the Convention Center for the Alltech Symposium we had sample. It’s a bottled product and contains bourbon and coffee. Basically you pour some in a cup, add hot water and top it off with some cream on top. It is good. The photo is contributed by Alltech photographer, Tim Webb.
Zimfo Bytes
- The nations key reference book on foreign animal diseases, commonly referred to as The Gray Book, has been revised into its Seventh Edition and is now available from the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA). The book sells for $25, including shipping and handling. Order forms are available online or by contacting the USAHA office at 816-671-1144 or usaha@usaha.org.
- John Deere Agri Services presented its annual Ambassador Awards on Feb. 21. The award recipients typically represent leaders in the agricultural industry who excel in the use of technology systems and have a drive for technological advancements for agribusinesses. Five companies were recognized: AgMark LLC and Farmway Co-op Inc. (Beloit, Kan.); Bunge North America (St. Louis, Mo.); the Country Operations Division of CHS Inc. (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.); and First Cooperative Association (Cherokee, Iowa).
- Farmers are employing new tactics to acquire more farm ground which is changing the social fabric of rural America, according to recent survey of TOP PRODUCER readers. The farm business magazine is highlighting the survey in “The Cold Reality of Cash Rents” in its Spring 2008 issue. To view the issue, visit the Web site and click on “The Cold Reality of Cash Rents.”
Alltech BioScience Medal of Excellence
At the opening general session of the Alltech Symposium a big award is given. This year it was presented to one of Alltech’s own. It’s the Alltech BioScience Medal of Excellence.
Dr. Ronan Power, Phd, Director of Research, Alltech, is the Director of their new Nutrigenomics Center. He’s seen here receiving his award (center) with Alltech President, Dr. Pearse Lyons to the left and Dr. Karl Dawson, Alltech Director of Worldwide Research to the right.
Alltech Symposium General Session Underway
The opening general session is taking place here at the Alltech Symposium. Attendees were greeted by Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear.
I think we’ve got about 1,700 people from all over the world participating in “The Greenest Generation.” I conducted some interviews with several of them from different countries which I’m in the process of editing and uploading and will have those later on.
To set the tone for the theme of this year’s Symposium we watched the following opening video:
Alltech Fun Run
The few, the proud, the brave, were out before daylight this morning to participate in the annual Alltech Fun Run.
We had a big crowd of international runners doing laps around Transylvania University. I’m just now getting ready for the opening session so this is just a quick post to shame all you who slept in this morning instead of getting out and working off some of that good Kentucky Ale.
Opera Superstars Featured at Alltech Symposium Dinner
At this evening’s Alltech Symposium International Dinner we heard some awesome voices. For example, this young man from Atlanta was just plain unbelievable. He’s just 19 years old. He’s an example of the talent that’s being fostered by Dr. Everett McCorvey, Professor of Voice at the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre with the assistance of Alltech.
He sang one song for us and helped lead us in a few songs where the audience participated.
You can listen to his presentation here: alltech-symposium-08-freshman.mp3
Of course the online photo album has been updated too, so please feel free to check it out.
IFAJ Members Attend Alltech Symposium
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists has a contingent here at the Alltech Symposium in Lexington, KY.
This evening we had a short reception before heading over to the Alltech Symposium International Dinner. With agriculture becoming such a global business it’s good to see “old friends” who are journalists from countries all over the world.
I only wish I was multi-lingual. Unfortunately, I speak my native language and that’s all she wrote. Fortunately, most of these IFAJ members speak at least some English.
The First Kentucky Malt Whiskey
Alltech does so many things it takes a while just to list them and understand them. A new venture is the production of “Lyons Reserve,” the first ever Kentucky Malt Whiskey.
Here’s Alltech President, Dr. Pearse Lyons, presenting the first bottle to Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear. I’d say the Governor did well at today’s Nutrigenomics Center ribbon cutting!
Dr. Lyons also told me something about a new Alltech coffee which I’ll be sampling over the next several days. I’m looking forward to that.