Get to Know an Alpaca During National Alpaca Farm Days

Laura McNamara

Grand Alpaca CompanyThe Grand Alpaca Farm is opening its gates to anyone who’s interested in learning more about Alpacas. The invitation recognizes National Alpaca Farm Days.

Tim Talbott saw a news story in 1984, about Americans importing alpacas from South America and raising them for their cashmere-like fiber. Intrigued, the established surgeon sought more information. In 1985, he and his wife, Jane, invested in six alpacas and made a long-range business plan to increase the herd to 100 animals by the time he retired. Dr. Talbott, who recently retired, has more than met his goal. “We have more than 100 Chilean and Peruvian Huacaya alpacas – the largest herd in Michigan,” he says. “And although we started raising and selling alpacas as an investment 22 years ago, we enjoy them more each year.”

An alpaca, cousin to the Llama and a member of the Camelid family, is about 36 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds fully grown and can live up to 20-25 years. Tim says, “Because of their manageable size and calm dispositions, they make wonderful companion animals and are very gentle with children … making them ideal for families.”

The Talbotts, early pioneers in the alpaca industry, and one of the founding members of the national organization, the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, take pride in the history they have in the alpaca business, the quality of alpacas they sell, and the level of service they provide. Their alpacas are fully guaranteed ARI registered alpacas that are personally raised and managed by Tim and Jane.

When the Talbotts purchased their six alpacas in 1985, there were about 350 alpacas in North America. Today, there are about 100,000 alpacas. The reason for such growth is simple; “People recognize the many benefits of alpaca ownership,” according to Tim.

Now Tim and Jane wish to share their enthusiasm with others during National Alpaca Farm Days. “We invite anyone interested in raising alpacas or are just curious about the animals to come, tour the farm and meet our alpacas,” Jane says.

The Grand Alpaca Farm, 4344 Four Mile Road, N.W., will be open to the public Saturday, September 29 and Sunday the 30th from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Ag Groups, Farming

DuPont Funds Biofuel Projects

Laura McNamara

DupontA million dollar pledge from DuPont means Iowa State University can begin development of its “New Century Farm.” The farm will be the center for biofuel and biomaterial farm production research on the Iowa State campus.

DuPont has announced a pledge of $1 million to the Iowa State University (ISU) New Century Farm, the first research effort in the United States to focus on producing cellulosic ethanol on the farm. The research efforts also will focus on enhancing the production, processing and utilization of feedstocks for biofuels and biomaterials.

“The need for renewable sources of energy requires a dynamic new way of thinking. The New Century Farm will research the practical things farmers can do in the future to grow, harvest and store biomass in a sustainable manner,” said Dean Oestreich, DuPont vice president and general manager and president of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. “We’re proud to partner with Iowa State to create a demonstration farm that will be the first of its kind to integrate both the growing and processing of biomass into biofuels.”

The New Century Farm will include a facility for research in biomass crop breeding, crop rotation needs and ways to efficiently store and process biomass material. It also will feature a teaching laboratory for training future scientists and farmers, and an extension facility to demonstrate the economic, social and environmental viability of bioenergy.

The funding from DuPont, through its Pioneer Hi-Bred business, will be allocated from 2008 to 2012.
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Ag Groups, Farming, Research, Technology

Agritechnica Excitement Mounts

Laura McNamara

2007 Agritechnica in Hanover GermanyChuck and Cindy have been providing international ag coverage for the past several weeks, and in November, it will be my turn. I’m planning to join John Deere at the preview days for the 2007 Agritechnica exhibition in Hanover, Germany. Agritechnica leadership is getting excited about the event and about the record setting number of exhibitors. Dr. Reinhard Grandke, Chief Executive Officer of the German Agricultural Society, says that, with more than 2,111 exhibitors, Agritechnica has grown by 39 percent. Grandke adds that the event’s overall growth is due, in large part, from the growth in international exhibitors – which has jumped up 65 percent from last year.

“This makes Agritechnica not only a platform for innovation with the latest technology, but also a source of ideas and inspiration for the key issues of the future in agriculture and agriculture technology. It is also the forum for the farmers of the future, seeking to use new, technology-based strategies to exploit new potentials for efficient farming in their locations and specializations.”

“Agritechnica 2007 will present the world’s largest range of modern agricultural machinery, components and replacement parts. All leading international companies in the industry are present, showing individual strategies for every kind of farm.”

“The future development of the agricultural machinery market will depend on the development of the local agricultural machinery markets, which are becoming more and more relevant. Whether the commitment of many farmers in bioenergy production pays off must be scrutinized carefully, and it remains to be seen whether some biogas plants are really profitable or rather pose a financial risk.”

“Many manufacturers [are] presenting numerous novelties with a high degree of innovativeness. These include several trend-setting world innovations. These involve special-purpose, efficient and intelligent machines and processes. Their aim is to economise on production inputs and achieve higher yield security. It is no longer a question of simply developing machines which are bigger and wider. Instead, what is wanted is performance and flexibility through innovative technologies.”

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, Equipment, Farm Shows, International, John Deere, Technology, Tractor

IFAJ Arts and Crafts

Cindy Zimmerman

US IFAJ groupHere is our group from the United States at the IFAJ Congress in the lobby of the Sendai Excel Hotel doing some arts and crafts.

We were preparing our bottle opener presents to be given out to the group in preparation for our hosting of the 2009 Congress in Fort Worth, Texas. They are very nice boot-shaped openers with tags on them urging people to “saddle up.” The congress will be held July 29 – August 5, 2009 in conjunction with the Ag Media Summit. Next year’s IFAJ Congress will be in Austria and Slovenia. Looks like it will be beautiful and fascinating.

Chuck is busy right now out shopping at the “Bass Pro Shop” of electronics stores. We will have an international symposium this afternoon and tonight is our final farewell party. Tomorrow we head back to the United States and I am ready to get back home.


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ, International, Pioneer

Promotions at Elanco

Laura McNamara

ElancoA couple of consultants from Elanco Animal Health have moved up in ranks. Dr. Bill Platter oversees consultants for beef cattle and Dr. Bill Mies is Elanco’s latest beef consultant.

Elanco Animal Health has announced the promotion of Dr. Bill Platter to the position of manager of technical consultants for beef cattle. In this role he will lead a team of professionals conducting post-product-approval research, and providing technical services with a feedlot and stocker focus in the United States. These activities focus on work with veterinarians, nutritionists and meat scientists to improve animal health, production efficiencies and profitability within the beef industry.

Platter has relocated to work from Elanco’s global headquarters in Greenfield, Ind.

Most recently, Platter served as a technical consultant supporting the Elanco cattle business unit’s food-chain initiatives, based first in Greenfield and then in the Midwest.

Elanco Animal Health has also announced the hiring of Dr. Bill Mies as a beef feedlot consultant – global beef group. In this role he will work with Elanco’s marketing-and-sales teams, providing technical support to feedlots in North America and other locations throughout the world. Mies will work from his home office in College Station, Texas.

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Beef, Elanco

Zimfo Bites

Melissa Sandfort

  • The National FFA Foundation and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. are proud to announce the arrival of the Red, White, and Forever Blue College Tour at the University of Nebraska. The college tour will appear at five major NCAA college football games across the country this fall, premiering at the University of Nebraska. The tour celebrates more than 30 years of shared service in improving agricultural education and communities for FFA and Toyota. This unique networking event provides collegiate agricultural students, faculty and staff an opportunity to connect with each other. In addition, they will get to meet Nebraska Ag alumni, FFA student leaders from local high schools and FFA and Toyota staff within their community. The tailgate kicks off four hours prior to the much-anticipated Nebraska vs. Iowa State rivalry on Sat., Sept. 29 at Hardin Hall on Nebraska’s East Campus. There will be free parking for guests as well as a free shuttle providing transportation to and from the game. Toyota, with their continued support of FFA, has dedicated a number of their Tundra trucks to be onsite.
  • While corn rootworm pressure is not consistent across the country, concerns of how continuous corn will impact future crops are universal. That is why it is key for growers to check performance in the field this summer, to make an informed decision when choosing hybrids for next year. To best protect yield potential, agronomists recommend growers choose hybrids that will perform on their ground and have traits that make sense for their operation. In areas with chronic insect issues, it is best to select hybrids with resistance to European corn borer and/or corn rootworm, such as those with Agrisure® traits. In continuous corn systems, corn rootworm particularly contributes to yield loss by damaging the stalk and roots, disrupting the photosynthesis process and interfering with pollination. In 2006 Syngenta Integrated Trials, Agrisure RW corn seed provided a 34 bu/A yield advantage, when compared to the untreated check. For the 2008 planting season, NK will be offering more trait and stacked choices for insect control and weed management than ever before, including Agrisure 3000GT. This new quad stack includes glyphosate tolerance, European corn borer resistance, corn rootworm resistance and LibertyLink® technology with tolerance to LIBERTY® herbicide (glufosinate).
  • On Sept. 18, 2006 Hoosier Ag Today began broadcasting its unique programming on 20 radio stations across the state. Hosted by veteran farm broadcaster Gary Truitt, Hoosier Ag Today filled a void in Indiana agricultural communications. Hoosier Ag Today focuses on the dynamic growth taking place in Hoosier agriculture. Hoosier Ag Today also experienced unexpected growth this past year adding 10 new stations to its station line up. Shortly after launching the Hoosier Ag Today radio programs, HAT launched its multi-media Web site. This site included the Official Podcast of Indiana Agriculture. Early in 2007, Hoosier Ag Today began publication of a daily E-mail newsletter.
  • This summer saw an explosion of glyphosate-resistant weeds throughout the United States, and the challenge continues to grow. In August, Kansas became the first state to confirm four species resistant to glyphosate, including waterhemp, common ragweed, giant ragweed and marestail (horseweed). These populations generated from the sole use of continuous glyphosate over several years and were not confined to just one field, but rather spread throughout the state as well as other parts of the Midwest. With fall just around the corner, and weeds in a growing number of states showing resistance to glyphosate, it’s now more important than ever to develop a strategy for your farm. Learn more about glyphosate resistance: 1, 2, 3, 4.
  • INFINITE INFLUENCE – an annual conference sponsored by World Christians United, the student missions organization of Saint Louis Christian College. The 2007 Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Missions will be held at Saint Louis Christian College, Oct. 26-27, 2007. Conference Purpose: To promote dialogue about sustainable agriculture and business-as-mission that will expand and promote the college’s Intercultural and Urban Missions degree program offerings; increase interest and involvement among the college’s constituents; generate enthusiasm for, and awareness of, the college among our publics; advance the college’s partnerships with other educational organizations; and stimulate creative ideas for future projects involving missions and agriculture. There is only room for 250 participants, so please register early. The cost of the Conference is $50, which includes all meals. For more information, contact Dean Dittmar at ddittmar@stlouisagclub.org or (618) 257-8272.
Zimfo Bytes

Sendai Shopping

Chuck Zimmerman

Sendai Shopping MallCindy and I have had a very relaxing stay in Sendai the past two days. We’ve wandered around town, including the Sun Mall Ichibancho. It’s a big shopping mall that goes on for blocks in every direction.

This big clock plays music on the hour and the doors open and things move. I don’t know what it meant but it was interesting to say the least.

We also visited the Yodobashi Camera Store next to the Sendai Train Station. Think Bass Pro Shop of electronics stores. I’m going to try to get a group to go over tomorrow morning for a little shopping venture.

We’re talking two stories of nothing but all the electronics gadgets you could dream of and can’t even find anywhere else and they stock it. I think a couple of the people in our group are hoping to purchase a camera while they’re here. This is the place to go.


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ, Pioneer

The Rice Man

Chuck Zimmerman

Rice GuyThis is one of the workers at the Furukawa Agricultural Research Center. He was posing for us ag journalists so I’ve got to post him for you.

Cindy and I both like rice and we’ve noticed that people do eat it for breakfast as well as other meals during the day. It mostly seems to be white rice and not what we call “wild” rice which raises a nutrition question I would think. We’ve been hearing a lot about nutrition concerns during our trip and this might be something that people are going to have to deal with if they want to improve their diet. I guess this is a worldwide issue.

This post kind of gets me caught up for now. We’re going to be joining people for dinner tonight as they return from their various tours that started yesterday. I’m hoping to obtain some photos from each one to share in the photo album too.

Cindy just got done being interviewed by the main organizer of the Congress here, Masaru Yamada. It was interesting listening in while I was doing my posts. He was especially interested in Cindy’s thoughts on policy since she was just at EU headquarters in Brussels last week.


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ, Pioneer

Precision Agriculture in Rice Planting

Chuck Zimmerman

Yoshisada NagasakaPrecision agriculture is hitting the rice industry in Japan. At least it’s in R&D now at the Furukawa Agricultural Research Station.

I interviewed Yoshisada Nogasaka, Research Team for Farm Machinery and Systems for NARC, the National Agricultural Research Center. He’s the guy who’s developing the software to run the prototype Autonomous Rice Transplanter we saw on demonstration at the Furukawa Agricultural Research Center. This guy is enthusiastic to say the least. He says that when he demonstrates this thing on a farm the farmer asks, “Can you leave it here on my farm?” They’re really looking forward to it but they’ll have some waiting to do. He says it could be up to 10 years before commercial production.

You can listen to his remarks here: ifaj-07-rice-planter.mp3


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

Audio, IFAJ, Pioneer, Precision Agriculture

Japan Ministry of Agriculture Press Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Mr. Sato, Ministry of AgricultureDuring our visit to the Tokyo University of Agriculture we attended a press conference with Mr. Masanori Sato, Director General in charge of International Affairs, Japan Ministry of Agriculture.

I’ve got a video of his presentation so you can see him make a statement and then listen to the interpreter. In this segment he talks about the dietary policy and situation with Japanese consumers. I was interested to find out that Japan only supplies about 40 percent of their food needs. This is obviously of concern when it comes to trade. The presentation didn’t leave much time for Q&A, which might have been a good thing considering the turmoil recently in the Ministry. Primarily he gave an overview of Japanese agriculture.


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ, International, Pioneer, Video