Improving Ethanol Production Process

Chuck Zimmerman

Brad WiersumOne of our presenters here at the Syngenta Learning Centers media briefing is Brad Wiersum, Head, Renewable Fuels Strategy, Syngenta Seeds. His topic was their biofuels strategy.

As you’ll hear in my interview with him they’re really looking forward to the introduction of some new corn varieties with high levels of corn amylase. By using high amylase corn, they estimate that it will improve the process efficiency of ethanol production which would lead to substantial savings in the cost of production of ethanol.

You can listen to my interview with Brad here: learning-centers-wiersum.mp3

Or you can download the interview using this link: Listen to MP3 Brad Wiersum Interview (4 min MP3)

Syngenta Learning Centers Photo Album

Audio, Syngenta

Blast From The Past

Laura McNamara

Tad Whitten's replica of a 1933 Filling StationMost people don’t know it, but Tad Whitten – owner of Motorsports Management – says ethanol has been used as fuel for more than 100 years. That’s why Tad is operating exhibits at the 2007 Missouri State Fair and the 2007 Iowa State Fair. He wants to educate people on the history of ethanol as a fuel source in the U.S. I stopped by Tad’s exhibit at the Missouri State Fair where he has a replica of 1933 Ethanol filling station. The old-time exhibit features skits throughout the day, which creates a conversation between a filling station attendant and a customer who is filling up his tank with ethanol. An audience can then “eavesdrop” at the scene and learn about the corn-based fuel. At the filling station, Tad filled me in on some ethanol history. You can listen to the interview here:

tad_whitten.mp3
Ethanol

Syngenta Learning Centers Photo Album

Chuck Zimmerman

Syngenta Learning Center DiscussionWe’re getting ready to finish up here in the Syngenta Learning Centers media briefing. Right now we’re hearing from a couple of growers who work with Syngenta. It’s nice to get their perspective on things.

The internet access here is a little challenging so I’ll probably be posting interviews later. In the meantime I have started a photo album from the event here which you’re welcome to visit: Syngenta Learning Centers Photo Album

Syngenta

Dr. Mike Boehlje Talks New Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Mike BoehljeIf you’ve never heard Dr. Mike Boehlje, Center for Food & Agricultural Business, Purdue University, speak then you’re missing a good performance. He is passionate about his work. He just completed his presentation on “Farming in the 21st Century” here at the Syngenta Learning Centers media briefing.

He started out with the “e” word which is of course, ethanol. However most of his talk really was on this thing called “new agriculture.” Kind of sounds like new media doesn’t it? Dr. Boehlje had to fly home right after his talk but I talked him into a short interview on his way out the door.

He says there are a lot of things that make up new agriculture but some key areas include new marketing opportunities, a lot of which is being driven by the bioeconomy and in particular, biofuels. Then there’s new tehnology and new business models. He sees a generational shift whereby younger farmers are saying, “bring it on” when it comes to these new ways of farming. The number one question he says growers are asking him this year is “How do I solve this corn on corn thing, especially yield drag?”

You can listen to my interview with Dr. Boehlje here: learning-centers-boehlje.mp3

Or you can download the interview using this link: Listen to MP3 Dr. Boehlje Interview (7 min MP3)

Audio, Syngenta

Learning Centers Overview

Chuck Zimmerman

Jim ElliottThe first speaker on the program is Jim Elliott, AgriEdge, Agronomy Services Manager, Syngenta Seeds.

Jim really gave us an overview of the whole Learning Centers program. This is the 4th year now that Syngenta has been doing these programs and they expect over 5,000 attendees this season. He says that 90% of the people who attend say they gained knowledge that impacted their management practices. Attendees are growers, retailers and industry leaders.

These Centers are run from Pennsylvania to Colorado.

You can listen to my interview with Jim here: learning-centers-elliott.mp3

Or you can download the interview using this link: Listen to MP3 Jim Elliott Interview (7 min MP3)

Syngenta

Group Learning

Chuck Zimmerman

Syngenta Learning Centers GroupThe media briefing portion of our Syngenta Learning Centers event is now officially underway.

Getting us started was Tom Gahm, Syngenta. He pretty much gave us the overview of what the day will be like and who our speakers will be.

I see that we have a cookie and coffee break coming up. I think they’re really pushing the cookies at this facility. I got one when I checked in, there were two in my lunch right before we got started and now we’ve got a cookie break. I like cookies though.

Syngenta

Learning Kickoff at Syngenta Learning Centers

Chuck Zimmerman

Syngenta Learning CentersThe temperature here at Lake Okoboji is wonderful compared to at home. It’s cool, cloudy and we’ve got a nice breeze.

Perfect arrival conditions for the Syngenta Media Event that kicks off this week’s Learning Centers. We’ll be out in the field in Milford, IA tomorrow. Today it’s classroom time as we explore, learn and hopefully profit. I like the “p” word! I’m sure farmers do too.

Syngenta Learning CentersThe program is about to kick off here at The Inn Conference Center. We’ll be hearing from a number of Syngenta and industry representatives and I’m going to try to interview them all and post those here for you.

Helping make this happen are the fine folks from Gibbs & Soell, Gardner Hatch and Catherine Wang. I’m sure I’ll capture them on a picture soon. I think we have 8 speakers on the line up this afternoon so they’ll be busy making sure all of us media types get our interviews done.

Agribusiness, Syngenta

Zimfo Bites

Laura McNamara

  • Doctors, dietitians and scientists agree that seafood is one of the healthiest foods Americans can enjoy. The proteins, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids in fish and shellfish greatly outweigh the risk of trace amounts of mercury. Recent research from The Institute of Medicine and Harvard School of Public Health confirms that eating fish, including canned tuna, is beneficial to all consumers — especially women and children. People who avoid eating fish because of mercury myths take the risk of missing out on health benefits that can include reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Mercury levels for most fish range from non-detectable to 0.5 parts per million (ppm). The 10 most popular commercial species have an average mercury concentration of 0.12 ppm or about eight times lower than the established U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) threshold of 1 ppm. Canned tuna is far below the FDA mercury limit with an average of 0.12 parts per million (ppm) in canned light tuna and 0.35 ppm in canned albacore tuna.
  • StollerUSA, a Houston-based company, has provided producers alternative solutions to important agricultural problems for more than 35 years. Jerry Stoller, president and CEO, founded StollerUSA in 1970. A notable agronomy expert, Stoller has been involved in international soil science research for more than 40 years and won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 1998. He became convinced that understanding and controlling a plant’s reaction to stress was an important key to unlocking each plant’s genetic potential. One innovative StollerUSA product, Bio-Forge™, an anti-oxidant with growth-enhancing properties, increases the yield potential of drought-stressed crops by affecting key genes associated with drought resistance. Flower Power™ is another example of StollerUSA’s ability to offer original solutions to common problems. Flower Power improves quality and increases yield by improving plant pollination.
  • Producers who use no-till or strip-till practices in their farming operations now have until September 15 to sign up for the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) agricultural soil carbon offsets program. Decades of data have shown that no-till and strip-till practices sequester carbon in agricultural soils. Producers who meet the eligibility requirements receive credit for their practices. The amount of carbon sequestered varies by region, but land in the central Corn Belt typically receives credit for 0.6 of a ton of carbon per acre. Producers must commit to maintaining their conservation tillage practices for a minimum of five years.
Zimfo Bytes

LPC Gala Rally

Chuck Zimmerman

AMS YMCAI didn’t use a picture of the YMCA at the Ag Media Summit but I did post the video.

If you didn’t have any fun at the Ag Media Summit then you should stop by the rally for the Livestock Publications Council annual Gala.

It’s time to rally the troops for the LPC Gala and have an end of summer get together for friends of LPC! Mark your calendars Wednesday night, August 29th O’Dowd’s Irish Pub (ZONA ROSA) – private room. Time: right after work, 5:00ish

Come for dutch treat drinks and, if you wish, stay for dinner. This is an informal gathering to put our game plan together for the Gala and see all of our LPC friends before the crazy fall sale season starts.

Ag Media Summit, LPC

Big Red WISS Now 24 Hours/Day

Chuck Zimmerman

WISS 1100I don’t produce my weekly ZimmCast with a broadcast purpose in mind but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t air somewhere. One of those somewhere’s is on the Big Red WISS AM 1100 in Berlin, WI.

They just announced that they’re now broadcasting 24 hours a day!

Hometown Broadcasting is pleased to announce that Big Red AM 1100 is now once again 24 hours with the advent of our translator W247AZ ….. 97.3 on the FM dial. 24 hours a day!

Media