Novus Launches Headquarters at Missouri Research Park

Laura McNamara

Novus International Inc.The construction of new headquarters for Novus International Inc. broke ground at Missouri Research Park in St. Charles, MO last week. The producer of animal nutrition and health products says its expanded headquarters adheres to sustainable design.

“Novus believes in creating environmentally sound, sustainable programs that enable health through nutrition for people and animals.” explained Thad Simons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novus International, Inc. “Delivering on the Novus vision ‘To help feed the world affordable, wholesome food’ becomes possible when we look at each of our programs as a way to improve our business and world simultaneously. The Novus global headquarters will be our symbol to the world and an expression of our sustainable efforts.”

Recognized as a leader in the animal health and nutrition industry, Novus is expanding their current research facility with a $20 million investment. When complete, the 90,000 square foot structure will consolidate Novus’s headquarters and the Novus International Research Center. The structure is being designed within the environmentally-focused framework of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The highest level of LEED certification is platinum, and the Novus facility is designed to achieve this status.

Designed by Forum Studio, Inc. and Clayco, the St. Louis areas premier construction company, the global headquarters will accommodate many established and forward-thinking elements of sustainable design and construction.

Progress on the Novus International global headquarters may be viewed at www.clayco.com and clicking on webcams.

Agencies, Animal Health, Environment

American Farmland Trust Says “Pick up the Phone”

Chuck Zimmerman

American Farmland TrustSpeaking of viral campaigns, Jimmy Daukas at American Farmland Trust wants you to pick up the phone today and call your Senator.

Today thousands of people representing 30 conservation and environmental organizations are contacting their Senators demanding funding for conservation in the 2007 Farm Bill.

Take 1-minute to call your Senators now!

Thanks for your commitment! Please forward to at least five friends, family members and colleagues to help make sure conservation needs don’t get ignored in the farm bill.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Daukas
Farm and Food Policy Campaign Director
American Farmland Trust

Ag Groups

Blog Action Day Results

Chuck Zimmerman

Blog Action Day GraphYou might remember my post on Blog Action Day earlier this week. Now that’s it’s past the organizers have a pretty comprehensive summary of what they accomplished. Remember that the theme was “environment.”

For example:

20,603 Blog Participated
23,327 Blog Posts (Google Blog Search)
14,631,038 RSS Readers

That RSS Readers number doesn’t count visitors to the respective websites which is a much bigger number generally speaking!

The graph below shows the frequency of terms appearing in the blogosphere courtesy of BlogTrends. Additionally “Blog Action Day” was the top Technorati search term AND tag for the day.

Pretty impressive showing for the blogging community if you ask me.

Uncategorized

Buckeye Video On Demand

Chuck Zimmerman

The BARN stands for Buckeye Ag Radio Network but Andy and Lindsay are into a lot more than radio these days. Take a look at what they’ve done with their video since I mentioned blip.tv to Andy at World Dairy Expo. Here’s a sample:

Buckeye Video On Demand. Very cool and well done y’all.

Media, Video

AEM Releases Annual “Outlook” Report

Melissa Sandfort

Good news for ag machinery manufacturers: U.S. retail sales of tractors and combines are expected to grow overall in 2008, led by four-wheel drive tractors, according to the yearly agricultural equipment “outlook” report of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Demand is expected to be generally positive for the majority of other types of agricultural machinery covered in the AEM survey.

According to the survey, combine sales are expected to increase 3.8 percent. Sales growth is also predicted for all sizes of 4-wheel drive tractors – up 6.5 percent.

3490.jpgFor 2-wheel drive tractor business, unit sales of machines in the 100-HP-and-over range are predicted to be strongest with a 3.4 percent increase, followed by essentially flat growth in other categories – an increase of 0.7 percent for units 40-100 HP and a decrease of 0.7 percent for 2-wheel drive tractors under-40 HP.

Each forecast in the AEM survey is the average of responses from companies in each product line, predicting industry wide expectations rather than individual company performance, and unit sales rather than company profitability. The AEM ag industry outlook for 2008 covers 20 types of farm field and farmstead type equipment.

“A major factor in the expected increase in high HP tractor, combine and tillage equipment sales is the continued focus on renewable energy, creating high demand and resulting higher commodity prices, with the resulting increases in net farm income ultimately equating to optimism around equipment sales,” noted AEM Vice President of Agricultural Services Charlie O’Brien.

For full survey results, visit the AEM Web site.

Equipment, Tractor

Zimfo Bites

Melissa Sandfort

  • On Oct. 17, 2007 at 8 a.m., a National FFA Convention Courtesy Fleet delivery of 54 Toyota vehicles on 7 car carriers will arrive for the 80th National FFA Convention at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. During the convention, many dignitaries and behind the scenes staff members will be navigating the Circle City. To help with logistics, Toyota is providing FFA with 54 courtesy vehicles that will be used during the week of Oct. 22. The Indianapolis public will be able to spot the vehicles throughout the city via the magnetic signs, as well as the FFA license plates. The Georgia Street skybridge will also be decorated with “FFA WAY” street signage starting Oct. 17.
  • America’s largest flying American flag will be proudly displayed at RFD-TV The Theatre on Nov. 9–11 as a part of Veteran’s Homecoming, the country’s largest Veterans Day celebration, which takes place in Branson, Mo., Nov. 5-11. The flag, which is 120 feet long, 65 feet wide and weighs over 200 lbs, is a project of the United Veterans of America chapter from Gastonia, NC. The flag, accompanied by four veterans from North Carolina, will be raised on Friday, Nov. 9th at 1:00 PM on the RFD-TV parking lot in Branson.
  • The Missouri Soybean Association Board of Directors is inviting farmers to participate in the 2008 DuPont Young Leader program. This program is considered one of the premier agricultural leadership programs in the country and helps build a valuable resource of leaders for the soybean industry. The program is a partnership between the Missouri Soybean Association and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont. For more information regarding applications, call 1-800-MOBEAN-1 and ask about the DuPont Young Leader program. The application deadline is Dec. 17, 2007.
Zimfo Bytes

Meeting Acting Ag Secretary Conner

Chuck Zimmerman

Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck ConnerI got my first opportunity to meet our Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner today. He was the luncheon keynote speaker at the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit which is underway in Washington, DC. He addressed the group on the subject of what agriculture’s role is in building a national cellulosic industry. I caught up to him outside as he was leaving and asked him what his department is doing in this regard.

He says that USDA has several ongoing research projects involving enzymes and the plants that will be needed to use in the production of cellulosic ethanol. However, he says more needs to be done. That’s why the Administration has asked for $1 1/2 billion more in the proposed farm bill for new research in this area. He says the House has supported it and they’re hoping the Senate will too.

You can listen to my interview with Acting Secretary Conner here: cellulosic-summit-07-conner.mp3

I’ve got more items to post from the event but the venue they have us in has no internet access. In fact, I’ve had to go upstairs and outside to make a mobile phone call. You could say I’ve been having internet access withdrawal all day. I just ran back to my hotel to get this posted and it’s time to hurry back to the end of the day reception. I really hope more conference organizers will take this into account when planning a facility. It’s not just us media types that want it.

Audio, Ethanol, USDA

Missouri Stripes Roads with Soy-Based Paint

Laura McNamara

Clean Fuels Development CoalitionThe Missouri Department of Transportation is experimenting with “soy-based” paint for use on the state’s highways. MoDOT says it’s testing four different types of yellow and white paints that contain soybean oil for use in highway striping.

The soy-based paint is made by using the same raw materials and processing techniques as traditional, water-based paint except the soybean oil replaces some of the petroleum ingredients. Soy paint is considered to be more environmentally friendly than other paints because it’s made from soybeans, a renewable agricultural crop that is plentiful in Missouri.

The 12-foot test stripes, which are located on Route 63 just north of Jefferson City, run across the roadway – from the shoulder to the center stripe. That way, the paint can be tested for how well it sticks to the ground and holds up against tire wear. MoDOT will also be looking to see how the paint withstands the ultimate test: snowplow blades.

“Snowplows are the Achilles heel of any highway paint,” said Todd Bennett, MoDOT’s chemical laboratory director. “As we monitor the wear and tear of the paint over the next year, we’ll especially be looking to see how durable it is in winter weather.”

MoDOT has been working with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council to test the paint, which was developed by Cargill.

Soybean, Technology

Renewable Fuels Fueling American Support

Laura McNamara

Clean Fuels Development Coalition The Clean Fuels Development Coalition says a majority of Americans support recent campaigns for renewable fuels. The company says that a new poll conducted by Harris Interactive demonstrates that nearly nine in 10 American adults (88 percent) agree that the U.S. should pursue renewable energy sources.


The poll, commissioned by the Clean Fuels Development Coalition, concludes that 72 percent of adults believe that higher oil prices have had a substantial impact on the rising cost of food in recent months, compared to only 35 percent who believe ethanol production has had a significant impact on rising food prices.

The poll asked 2,199 U.S. adults about their attitudes regarding ethanol. Other results indicate that nearly eight in 10 adults (78 percent) believe usage of ethanol would lessen the country’s dependence on foreign oil.

Energy policy is at the forefront of national debate with pending energy legislation expected to hit congressional calendars this fall. The Senate- approved version of the energy bill contains a provision mandating the use of 36 billion gallons of ethanol by 2022.

Biodiesel, Corn, Environment, Ethanol

Florida Ag Journalists Honored

Cindy Zimmerman

SE Agnet AwardFlorida Farm Bureau Federation honored Southeast Agnet founders Gary Cooper and Robin Loftin-Cooper during the 66th annual meeting last week in Daytona Beach. They are pictured here with FFBF president John Hoblick.

The Coopers received the “Ag Journalists of the Year” award for outstanding coverage of agriculture.

Gary and Robin are our former business partners in Florida. I also do regular programming for them on Southeast Agnet – and Chuck and I both used to work with Gary at Florida Farm Bureau. Once upon a time, I won their communicator of the year award (I think that’s what it was called) when we started the network with Gary. In fact, it is all Gary’s fault we are even in agricultural communications today. Gary hired me as an intern to work at Florida Farm Bureau when I was still in college.

Congratulations to Gary and Robin!

Ag Groups, Media