Alltech Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Pearse LyonsThe founder of Alltech is Dr. Pearse Lyons. He just concluded a presentation to the IFAJ board meeting. I had a chance to interview him just before we got started. I knew right away he didn’t have a Kentucky accent (he’s Irish). He says he’s almost been in the United States as long as he lived in Ireland.

I started out asking Dr. Lyons to talk about his background and how and why he started Alltech. He says his brewing background is really what led him to doing the work that Alltech does today. In fact, he says things have come full circle since back in the early days he was focused on brewing and making alcohol which at the time was called gasahol. From there they’ve launched a whole line of products that are used as feed additives for animal health. Now they’re back to focusing on alcohol production.

In keeping with the theme of the Symposium here which is food, feed or fuel, he says they’re working on ways to improve the ethanol production process to not only generate more ethanol but to make better use of the feed stock being used to make it. They’re working very hard on the cellulosic ethanol production process since we have a limited supply of corn and a big ethanol production goal.

You can listen to my interview with Dr. Pearse Lyons here: alltech-symposium-07-lyons.mp3

Alltech 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio

Kentucky Ale On Tap

Chuck Zimmerman

Altech Kentucky Ale TapsProbably the biggest disappointment of the Alltech tour was that their in-office Irish Pub was closed. You have got to love a company that has their own pub on the premises. I’m sure I know where happy hour is.

These are the taps in the pub because they only serve Kentucky Ale from the Lexington Brewing Company. This is an Alltech company and if you’re an AgWired regular you’ll know that I’m a big fan.

In my next post I’ll feature an interview with Alltech founder, Pearse Lyons. You’ll hear him talk about his background in the brewing industry in Ireland. He’s built an incredible company from using his brewing background.

Alltech 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, IFAJ

Alltech Sponsoring World Equestrian Games in 2010

Chuck Zimmerman

Altech HeadquartersTalk about forward planning, Alltech is going to be the sponsor of the World Equestrian Games which will be held in 2010 in Lexington, KY. It’s a multi-million dollar investment and you might wonder why they would choose this venue.

Here’s how they put it to the IFAJ group in a short presentation about the future games. The Olympics bring in about 500,000 people, the World Equestrian Games will bring in about 600,000 people. I would have never guessed that. Additionally, the exposure from these games will be reaching a much more customer oriented audience than another venue might.

In June 2006, Alltech proudly became the first ever title sponsor of the World Equestrian Games (WEG), to be held in Lexington, Kentucky from the 25th September – 10th October 2010. These world-class events are the major international championships for equestrianism, administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

The games are held every four years, half way between each pair of consecutive Summer Olympic Games. Past games have included seven disciplines: dressage, show-jumping, eventing, cross-country, vaulting, combined driving and reining. Paraequestrianism will be included for the first time at the Alltech FEI WEG 2010.

Alltech 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, IFAJ

Touring Alltech Headquarters

Chuck Zimmerman

Altech HeadquartersAlltech has a beautiful headquarters building here in Lexington, KY. We got to tour the facilities this afternoon and you can find the pictures I was allowed to take in the online photo album.

Right before we got started we were welcomed to the building and given a little background on Alltech. I recorded our presenter and you can listen to him here: alltech-symposium-07-tour.mp3

Alltech 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, IFAJ

Alltech Symposium at Lexington Convention Center

Chuck Zimmerman

Altech SymposiumIt’s afternoon now and our IFAJ board meeting group took a break to tour the Alltech headquarters building. First we stopped at the convention center to get registered and then board a bus.

I understand there will be almost 1,700 people here from around the world attending the Alltech Symposium. It’s truly an international experience. In fact this evening’s dinner is called an international dinner. I assume we’ll have an interesting menu.

Alltech 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, IFAJ

Blogging From the IFAJ Board Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ Board MeetingGood morning from Lexington, KY and the IFAJ board meeting here at the Radisson hotel right across the street from the Convention Center. Our hosts, Alltech, will be holding the sessions for their 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium there starting tomorrow.

This morning I’m doing a presentation for the IFAJ board on blogging and podcasting. It’s going to be a quick overview in which we’ll discuss the basics and look at some live examples and then discuss how they can use these tools in their own media companies. I’ve pre-written this post to use as an example of a live post during my presentation. So I’ll be adding the picture and including it as we’re “live.”

I hope my U. S. agricultural media buddies are taking notice that their counterparts around the world are taking a serious look at how to incorporate new media into their own professional development program and for their own mechanisms to communicate their message. Of course if you’re attending the Agricultural Media Summit this summer you’ll have a chance to learn more at one of the sessions I’ll be conducting there!

Alltech 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium Photo Album

IFAJ

IFAJ Leaders Enjoy Dinner

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ LeadersTonight at dinner we were treated to superb service.

Here’s IFAJ president, David Markey (left) and James Campbell (right) with our server and her Ireland cap they presented her with.

I think some of these folks got out on the golf course today and had a little fun. Some of us just spent the day getting here.

I’ll have interviews and a lot more pictures over the next couple days.

Alltech 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium Photo Album

IFAJ

Getting Started In Lexington

Chuck Zimmerman

Lexington Downtown FountainHello from downtown Lexington, KY and the Alltech International Feed Industry Symposium and IFAJ board meeting. This is the fountain right outside our hotel. We just got back from dinner at the Woodlands Grill. The award winning chef uses Kentucky Ale in his recipes so of course we had to go there. In case you didn’t know, Alltech owns the Kentucky Ale brewery and I’m hoping to fit in a tour before I have to leave.

So tomorrow morning I’ll be addressing the IFAJ board meeting to talk about blogging and podcasting and showing examples of how these new media tools can be put into practice in an agricultural communications company. If we can do it then I’m sure others can too. Right?

Let’s get back to Kentucky Ale. I got back to my room after dinner and what to my wandering eyes should appear but a six pack of my favorite beer – Kentucky Ale. I like the people at Alltech. I’m interested to hear about the discussion on “Food, Feed or Fuel?” I’ve heard mixed remarks so far. This is an international group and I’ve already spoken with people from the USA, England, Ireland, Albania, Ecuador, Venezuela, Netherlands, Spain and a few other countries. It all depends on your perspective I guess.

I’ve heard it said that in the Unites States we like to drink the best and burn the rest. Here in Kentucky they like to make something called bourbon which I’ve been told you can only find in Kentucky. I tried this one. I always thought a certain Tennessee whiskey I liked was bourbon but tonight I learned that it isn’t. So I guess you learn something new every day, right?

I’ve started an online photo album of course so keep it in your favorites as I build on it while I’m here.

Alltech 2007 International Feed Industry Symposium Photo Album

Agribusiness, IFAJ, International

Alltech International Feed Indusry Symposium

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech 2007 International SymposiumIt’s off to Lexington, KY for the 23rd Alltech International Feed Industry Symposium. I’ll be arriving late Saturday and activities get kicked off on Sunday.

Bright and early on Sunday I’ll be doing a short presentation on blogging and podcasting for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists board meeting which is taking place there. This group of editors and broadcasters from around the world have a keen interest in new media and it should be fun to show them what we’re doing and answer their questions.

Alltech has pulled out all the stops to make this year’s Symposium a great one. The event runs through Wednesday of next week but I’ll be returning on Monday in time for my youngest daughter’s high school graduation. Like just about every meeting I’ve been to this year the topic will be food vs. fuel. They raise a lot of questions on the website and program so I assume we’ll hear some answers while there. You can count on learning what some of them are right here.

Agribusiness

Country Music at 2007 Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

2007 Farm Progress ShowWe’ll be country rocking at this year’s Farm Progress Show. They’ve decided to add country music entertainment to the show this year in Illinois with two good acts.

Tracy Lawrence and Tracy Byrd are set to perform their popular country music hits on the Farm Progress Show stage, sponsored by Grinnell Mutual, in a live country music concert Wed., Aug. 29, at the 2007 Farm Progress Show. Known as the nation’s largest outdoor ag showcase, the 54th annual Farm Progress Show will be held Aug. 28, 29 and 30 at its permanent biennial location in Decatur, Ill. The concert follows the close of the second show day and will start at 5:30 p.m.; concert gates will open at 4:30 p.m. Lawrence and Byrd are respected and popular country artists and will entertain the concert crowd with their current hits and additional Billboard chart-topping country songs.

“We are pleased and excited to have Tracy Lawrence and Tracy Byrd performing in one concert just following the show’s second day. Each performer is a headline act, and this double-header lineup of top country talent really sets our concert apart,” said Don Tourte, Farm Progress national sales and events director. “It’s another milestone for the show and a great way to bring greater enthusiasm to the event and attract even larger show attendance to the Decatur area.” The concert will be held near Richland Community College, just south of the Farm Progress Show exhibit field. Tracy Byrd will perform first, followed by Tracy Lawrence. Concert attendees will park in the same lots used for show visitors.

Farm Progress Show, Farm Shows