- DuPont announced it has sold its terbacil herbicide assets to Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. (TKI). Terbacil is marketed globally through the Sinbar® trademark. In Japan, terbacil also is sold in a mixture with diuron through the Zobar® trademark. TKI will acquire the rights to the Sinbar® and Zobar® trade names, a license to the technology required to make terbacil, and the worldwide registrations and data packages for the products. Sinbar® and Zobar® herbicides are used primarily in niche mint, fruit, alfalfa and non-crop markets, predominantly in North America and Japan.
- Jeff Murphy, commercial director for Kemin AgriFoods North America, announced the appointment of Travis Lucas as the Key Account Manager responsible for Kemin sales development in the area east of the Mississippi River and south of I-70. Prior to joining Kemin, Lucas worked in advertising sales for Watt Poultry USA magazine. Murphy also announced the appointment of Mike O¹Neill, PAS, as the Key Account Manager responsible for sales development in the area encompassing Pennsylvania, New York and New England. Prior to joining Kemin, O’Neill worked for Monsanto Dairy Business on Posilac® and other products primarily in Pennsylvania and New York.
- Bunge North America announced that it has promoted Rodney Perry to vice president and general manager of Bunge Oils and Todd Bastean to vice president and general manager of Bunge Milling. As general manager of Bunge Oils, Rodney Perry will be responsible for leading the Oils team working to manage Bunge’s assets and organization to provide customers with innovative, functional and competitive products.
Ice Storm Photos
Well the conditions here in Missouri have only become worse all day. The trees and branches falling sound like explosions. There’s going to be a lot of cleaning up to do like in this yard of a local home.
The roads aren’t too bad except for the fallen branches and power lines. I went out for a while just to take a look see. I’ve created a little photo album of what it looks like within just a mile or so of ZimmComm world headquarters here in Holts Summit, MO.
The power has flickered but so far so good. The forecast just calls for more though. I’ve got a feeling I’ll be adding to the photo album this week.
Missouri Ice Storm
Here’s the beautiful scene I woke up to this morning after a loud middle of the night thunder and lightning storm.
It would be pretty until you hear the loud snapping and popping as branches and trees start breaking under the weight of the ice. That’s a sound I’ve heard quite a few times already this morning. We’ve got freezing rain now and more predicted throughout the day and then again tonight. Lovely.
Maybe I’ll get caught up on some office stuff since it’s no day to be out traveling.
Bid In The Christmas Spirit
Here’s another blue tractor in the news. This one’s a Polar Express special that’s up for auction to benefit the Christmas Spirit Foundation.
The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is committed to keeping the spirit of Christmas alive and growing memories for the next generation of children and families. To achieve our mission, we focus programs for children, families and the environment … all designed to enhance the Christmas spirit.
The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is the charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association. The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is incorporated in the State of Missouri and has received IRS 501(c)3 charitable organization status.
Besides the Polar Express Boomer there are other items in the auction too.
Landini Wins Tractor Award
I am not familiar with a Landini tractor but they must be doing something right.
Landini USA is proud to announce that the Landini Rex 85 S received the 2008 Tractor of the Year Award in the “Best of Specialized” category. The award was presented to Landini during a special ceremony at the Agritechnica Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany.
Judged by a panel of machinery specialists from 17 European countries, the “Tractor of the Year” award is regarded as one of the most prestigious honors within the agricultural engineering industry. Tractor designs are assessed on design features, benefits, and practical driving appraisals.
The 82 hp Rex 85 S, designed to operate in the narrow rows of the orchard industry, was chosen for its engine performance, innovative four-wheel hydrostatic brakes, electro-hydraulically engaged four-wheel drive, and easy-to-use transmissions. The judges also praised the tractor’s maneuverability within the narrow rows of an orchard.
Landini USA, based in Norcross, GA, was founded in 1884 by Giovanni Landini in Fabbrico, Italy. The aim of Landini was to design and manufacture machinery capable of towing agricultural equipment, in particular the plow. Today Landini offers a full range of tractors for the row crop, livestock and specialty crop market.
New ISU Precision Ag Lab
Iowa State University has a new precision ag lab thanks to Ag Leader Technology. Pictured from left to right are: Dr. Thomas Brumm, Associate Professor, ISU, Dr. U. Sunday Tim, Associate Professor, ISU, Dr. Ramesh Kanwar, ABE Department Chair, ISU Al Myers, President, Ag Leader Technology, Michael Vos, Software Sales Manager, Ag Leader Technology.
Ag Leader Technology, Inc. has donated the latest precision ag equipment to the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University for use in educating students on precision farming systems. The donation starts a new lab at ISU, complete with hardware and software.
“In today’s fast-paced precision ag industry, there is a constant need for highly-educated graduates and we hope to provide students first-hand experience with precision farming systems,” says Al Myers, President of Ag Leader Technology. “Iowa State continues to provide the industry with motivated, young professionals. By giving to the university we hope to strengthen our partnership and continue to take part in the education of students in precision agriculture.”
Students taking classes on precision farming will now be able to use the lab to gain knowledge and understanding of the equipment in a real-world situation. By using the hardware and software together, students will be able to simulate a working farm and collection of valuable information using geospatial technology.
USDA/Ad Council PSA To Prevent Obese Kids
In this public service announcement produced by USDA and the Ad Council eating an apple keeps the ceiling from falling on you and turns it into a world map. Well, that’s not really the message.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrition and Consumer Services and the Ad Council announce today the launch of a multi-media public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to inspire children and families to adopt healthier lifestyles.
As we all know, today’s obesity and overweight statistics are staggering. Approximately 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese while 17 percent of American children themselves are categorized as overweight. Research indicates that there is a direct correlation between being overweight during childhood and adolescence and carrying that through into adulthood.
If it were only so easy as running a psa and the crisis of obesity in kids would be solved. Maybe it will help. I don’t know.
Speaking of Beef Kicks Off
The Missouri Beef Industry Council has just kicked off a new program as I mentioned late last night called, “Speaking of Beef.” This program includes preparing volunteer producers for public speaking on key issues important to their industry and then helping schedule them to speak to local civic groups statewide. It’s just another way for beef producers to connect with people who are far removed from the farm.
As we talked about in our first training session yesterday, there are so many people today who have never been on a farm, touched an animal like a cow, or seen how they’re cared for that it’s not surprising they have so many misconceptions and ideas about rural life. There’s a big need for public education and a personal approach from someone who’s part of their community is one of the best ways to foster understanding.
To help the program participants we worked with the MBIC staff to develop a resource notebook which includes: pre-written speeches on 6 key issues (printed and saved electronically on CD), notecards for each speech, basic information about public speaking and media interviewing, a list of potential questions they will be asked and suggested answers. The volunteers will personalize each talk with anecdotes about their life and farm. They will also receive a supply of handout materials for their presentation as well as items to be used for a drawing after their talk. We’re contacting Rotary, Optimist and Kiwanis clubs as well as local Chambers of Commerce to see if they’d like to schedule in one of our speakers.
It’s a great program and we’ve already got more volunteers on a list for the next training session after we get this first group going. I’ll tell you what. These are some of my favorite people and I know they’ll be a big hit with whatever crowd they get to speak in front of!
Zimfo Bites
- Bunge North America renewed its support of the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program for 2008 with the presentation of $100,000 during the Progressive Agriculture Foundation annual meeting in Indianapolis, Ind. And Bunge not only contributes financially, but encourages company’s employees to volunteer with the program.
- DuPont and Beijing Weiming Kaituo Agriculture Biotechnology Co., Ltd. announced the formation of a joint venture to accelerate the discovery of genes for high value agronomic traits such as stress tolerance and efficient nutrient utilization to improve the performance of important crops for farmers in China and throughout the world. For DuPont, this marks another step toward the globalization of its R&D capabilities to accelerate new product launches and drive business growth for its worldwide seed business, Pioneer Hi-Bred. Pioneer is the first major global seed business to have a significant presence in key Chinese corn markets through two previous joint ventures.
- McCormick International and its parent company ARGO S.p.A have won a contract to supply 200 McCormick XTX Series tractors to Kamaz, Inc., a leading Russian vehicle group. The tractors will be sold under the Kamaz brand to farmers in Russia. The McCormick XTX Series was chosen for its balance of modern technology and price, which will be an ideal fit for Russian farmers investing in more productive machinery.
Fight Stress with Wild Blueberries
Just a handful of wild blueberries at each meal is the ticket to natural stress-relief. At least, that´s what the USDA has concluded.
USDA scientists recently concluded that eating Wild Blueberries and other antioxidant-rich foods at every meal helps prevent oxidative stress. (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 2, 170-181, 2007) This study advances antioxidant research by moving beyond the measurement of antioxidants in foods to actual examination of the performance of specific fruits against oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is linked to chronic diseases and aging.
“We are confident that consumption of Wild Blueberries or other high antioxidant foods is going to be beneficial in fighting oxidative stress,” said lead scientist Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., USDA Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center. “It’s not just what you eat but when you eat it that matters. Phytochemicals in foods have varying degrees of bioavailability and generally are cleared from the blood 2-4 hours after they’re eaten. Ensuring that your body has a steady supply of antioxidant-rich foods can help combat oxidative stress throughout the day.” The study also found that eating a meal with no antioxidants — just carbohydrates, fat or protein — lowers the antioxidant levels and causes oxidative stress. “You’re deficit spending when you eat junk food. You need to continually consume antioxidant-rich foods to keep levels up for optimal health.”
According to Wild Blueberry Association Nutrition Advisor Susan Davis, M.S., R.D., this research proves yet again the importance of fruits and vegetables and a diet that minimizes foods with little or no nutritional value. “Incorporate fruits and vegetables and other whole foods like grains and nuts into every meal to get the full phytochemical benefits you need to fight oxidative stress and inflammation,” said Davis. “Fresh, frozen, canned, juice or dried, all forms count when you’re trying to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. When it comes to Wild Blueberries, eat at least 1/2 cup every day as part of a well-balanced diet.”