One of the presenters at the Syngenta Learning Centers media briefing is Bruce Battles, Agronomy Marketing Manager, Syngenta Seeds. He talked about the science of corn from the standpoint of what Syngenta is working on with new varieties. He says that there are a lot of options and challenges for growers. For example he says they’re working on solutions to the challenges of planting corn after corn.
You can listen to my interview with Bruce here: learning-centers-battles.mp3
Or you can download the interview using this link: 
Bruce Battles Interview (4 min MP3)
The Syngenta Learning Centers got off to a great start today as everyone was divided up into groups and then rotated between different program stations.
The Syngenta Learning Centers program in Milford, IA is underway on a nice and cool day. The area had a little bit of rain overnight but we got lucky and haven’t had any this morning. 
I already clued you in to what Tad Whitten is doing right now at the Missouri and Iowa State Fairs. Now, I’ve got the scoop on what Tad will be doing for this year’s Farm Progress Show coming up at the end of August. Tad says he will be debuting a new filling station replica:
The head of Pfizer Animal Health’s Veterinary Medicine Research and Development facility (called the Farm) is Dr. Cathy Knupp. She was on our program at their media event titled “Delivering Solutions Through Research and Innovation.” I’m really learning a lot attending these type of R&D programs!
Unlike a lot of the midwest temperatures here in northern Iowa have been fairly moderate. We also got some nice rain overnight.
Eric Tedford is Technical Brand Manager, Fungicides for Syngenta. He was on our program here at the Syngenta Learning Centers media briefing to talk about soybean management strategies.
One 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.
Most 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: