The Latest On NAFB & The BARN/ABN

Chuck Zimmerman March 5, 2007

Another Commodity Classic has come and gone and I’m in recovery mode. But I do have a ZimmCast for you which is in part from the trade show floor. In the first part of the program I interviewed the three amigos you see in the picture. They are (l-r) Jeremy Povenmire, National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Me, Bill O’Neill, NAFB and Hugh Whaley, O&B and the NAFB Foundation. I obviously did not get the blue shirt memo.

We did the interview as a talk around with Bill describing the latest research NAFB has completed, Jeremy talking about membership and Hugh updating us on the status of the NAFB Foundation.

Then following their interview I’ve got some audio from Andy and Lindsay at the Buckeye Ag Radio Network/ABN. They talk about how the two company brands will mesh and what it means to them.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 109 (12 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

zimmcast109-3-5-07.mp3

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes.

The NAFB portion of this program can also be found as part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

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Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, NAFB, New Holland, ZimmCast

Don’t Forget the Podcast & Photo Album

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2007

I’m about done for the day here at Commodity Classic. The trade show’s over. This evening is the final entertainment function with country music star Collin Raye. I think Cindy and I are going to take some time off and miss that.

I’ve got some more things that will be posted like the winner of the New Holland Blue iPod but in the meantime remember that you can subscribe to the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

And don’t forget the 2007 Commodity Classic Photo Album which I’ll be adding some more to later today.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
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BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

The BASF Wrapup

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2007

I know I’ve covered a lot of BASF activities here at Commodity Classic but they are very involved and hey, they’re one of my sponsors. To get a wrap-up I spoke with Steve Henning, Marketing Manager Corn Belt after he got done with a tv interview.

Steve exudes enthusiasm and I think you’ll hear that in his voice. He says that growers coming through their booth were very upbeat and he’s excited about that.

I also asked him how the Dippin’ Dots went over and he said they had numerous double dippers. He compared the innovative science behind the ice cream product with the innovative technology offered to growers by BASF.

You can listen to my interview with Steve here: cccast-25-henning.mp3

This interview is part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: and

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Kleckner on Biofuels

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2007

Cindy was trade show talking today with Dean Kleckner, Truth About Trade & Technology.

They had an extended discussion on one of the main topics everyone’s been talking about and that’s biofuels. Dean always has an opinion and he shares that with Cindy. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Listen Cindy’s interview with Dean here: cccast-26-kleckner.mp3

This interview is part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
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Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

ASA Awards Banquet

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2007

Another banquet held last night was the Annual ASA Banquet.

It’s another opportunity to distribute awards.

This one is being presented by ASA President Rick Ostlie (left) to Kaleb Hellwig, BASF, in appreciation of BASF’s support and partnership.

Thanks to ASA for supplying this picture.

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BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Random Street Photo

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2007

This is just a completely random street photo I thought I’d share.

Since Cindy and I got a hotel about 5 blocks away instead of one of the “close” hotels we’ve been doing a lot of walking back and forth. It would be nice if the media could get in the hotels that attach to the convention center since we’ve got stuff to lug around.

Anyway, this morning there was all kinds of activity going on around downtown Tampa. I have no idea why. These folks were all on stationary bikes just a spinning away to some very loud music. I’m sure it’s good exercise but I was getting mine on foot.

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BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

NCGA Awards Banquet

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2007

Each of the commodity groups making up Commodity Classic have their annual banquets on the same night. Thanks to several people I got a couple of pictures to share.

This one is from the NCGA Awards Banquet. In it, NCGA President, Ken McCauley (left), is giving an appreciation plaque to BASF which was accepted by Andy Lee, Director of Business Operations, U. S. Crop Protection Products, for their sponsorship of the National Corn Yield Contest. From what I’ve heard Andy spoke passionately about the NCYC and really hit a home run. Here’s an excerpt from his comments:

Look ahead is exactly what we’re doing when it comes to demand for corn – particularly driven by ethanol. You’ve heard a lot about this all week. To seize this opportunity, we must continue to embrace technology…continue to innovate…continue to challenge our crop management practices and look at new ways to break the yield barrier. I have no doubt that U.S. corn growers are up to the challenge. With outstanding results. You only need to look at the fact we’re here tonight to honor corn yields of over 300 bu/A. When NCGA was formed 50 years ago, average corn yields in the U.S. were less than 50 bu/A.

That’s a testament to the National Corn Yield Contest – embodying the very best spirit of innovation. It takes a special type of person to take the risks…try something new…think through and manage carefully their contest fields. You are the leaders in the industry.

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The Wyant Perspective

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2007

Kind of sounds like a new Robert Ludlum novel doesn’t it?

It’s actually a Commodity Classic Learning Center session on “Perspectives on the 2007 Farm Bill” that was sponsored by John Deere. Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse Communications, was the moderator of a panel on this subject that featured Mark Halverson, Democratic Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and Chip Conley, Former Senior Economist, House Agriculture Committee.

I’m not even going to try to summarize their comments. That’s why I record these interviews! I interviewed Sara afterward to find out what these experts see for the coming farm bill, especially as it relates to the three commodity groups meeting here.

Listen to my interview with Sara here: cccast-23-wyant.mp3

This interview is part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

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Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Farm Policy, New Holland

BASF WINner

Chuck Zimmerman March 3, 2007

Pictured here are Gary Schmitz, Dan Westberg and Leon Duchene. They were the team giving the BASF WIN session. WIN means “What is New.”

What is new from BASF is Status herbicide for corn, giving growers a new option in post-emergent broadleaf weed control. I interviewed all three guys to get the story on this new product from BASF. If you want to learn more about it they have a website dedicated to Status.

BASF is setting a new standard for post-emergent broadleaf weed control in corn with Status herbicide. Growers were able to learn more about this new premier herbicide during the BASF What Is New session Friday at Commodity Classic. “Status offers growers a new level of confidence in their weed control by controlling a broad spectrum of weeds while offering them superior crop safety,” said Leon Duchene, Status Product Manager, BASF at the session.

Not only does Status deliver superior control and excellent crop safety, it also provides simplicity. Dan Westberg, Ph.D., Technical Marketing Manager, BASF, told the crowd of more than 50 growers that “Status controls even the toughest yield-robbing weeds such as waterhemp, kochia, morningglory, Palmer amaranth, common and giant ragweed and common lambsquarters.”

Gary Schmitz, Ph.D., Midwest Technical Service Manager for BASF, reviewed university trial results and use recommendations for Status herbicide. This included recommendations for conventional corn and Roundup Ready corn as well as the flexibility to be used in a sequential application or a total post treatment.

I also learned that they are not wearing pink. The shirts are “man-salmon” colored.

Listen to my interview with Gary here: cccast-20-schmitz.mp3

Listen to my interview with Dan here: cccast-21-westberg.mp3

Listen to my interview with Leon here: cccast-22-duchene.mp3

These interviews are part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: and

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland