Press Conference With Dr. Rajashekara Reddy

Chuck Zimmerman

Hon. Dr. Rajashekara ReddyAnother key figure on the program today at the World Agricultural Forum was the Hon. Dr. Rajashekara Reddy, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh, India. He participated in the opening session then held a press conference this afternoon.

I recorded his press conference for you. In it he was first asked about the price of seed in India and what he thought about it. You can listen to how he answers that. He basically wondered why seed from Monsanto costs so much in India vs. the United States. I asked him about biofuels production in his country and what it means to the economy there. He says they’ve only just begun the development of “fuel crops” and says it will be several years before it becomes significant but he’d like to see a goal of having biofuels replace at least 5% of their fuel consumption as soon as possible. He also addresses high world dairy prices and the increase in cotton production in India.

You can listen to Dr. Reddy’s press conference here: world-ag-forum-07-reddy.mp3

World Agricultural Forum Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, International

Deere CEO Addresses World Agricultural Forum

Chuck Zimmerman

Robert LaneOne of the first speakers on the program here at the World Agricultural Forum was Robert Lane, Chairman and CEO of Deere & Company.

I’ve got his full comments here for you to listen to if you’d like. It’s about 22 minutes. In it he speaks to the topic of investing in agriculture to create prosperity, the theme of the event. He sees it as a timely topic and says right away that we need to have a sustainable level of prosperity. For that to happen he would like to see a more open business environment that’s conducive to investment. He says there needs to be true transparency. He says that new technology is absolutely necessary for success and that’s most likely to develop in open economies. He also says that green (as in environmental) is a societal issue which makes it a global business issue. He talks about how his company is working to be more involved in these things through acquisitions, new products and the involvement in organizations around the world working on these issues.

You can listen to Robert Lane’s comments here: world-ag-forum-07-lane.mp3

World Agricultural Forum Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, International, John Deere, Tractor

World Agricultural Forum Founder Describes Mission

Chuck Zimmerman

WAF CEO Leonard GuarraiaThe founder and CEO of the World Agricultural Forum is Leonard Guarraia. After he welcomed everyone to this year’s Forum I was able to talk with him briefly about the mission of the Forum and what he hopes gets accomplished here.

He says they want to bring together leaders from around the world for discussion, get the press to listen and understand agriculture’s role and to take action. He says they have over 400 people attending which is well over what they expected but he’s happy with that.

You can listen to my interview with Leonard Guarraia here: world-ag-forum-07-guarraia.mp3

World Agricultural Forum Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, International

World Agricultural Forum Chairman James Bolger

Chuck Zimmerman

Rt. Honorable James BolgerLeading off today’s program here at the World Agricultural Forum is the Chairman, the Rt. Honorable James Bolger, ONZ. He moderated the opening discussion which included presentations with Robert White, Chairman and CEO, Deere & Co. and His Excellency, Hon. Dr. Rajashekara Reddy, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh, India.

I spoke to Mr. Bolger after their session to get a sense of what it is he hopes will be accomplished here at the Forum. He says that he hopes to energize people to think differently and realize that we’re in a global economy and decisions that individual countries make have an impact on everyone. He points to work in his country of New Zealand to reduce methane emissions from grazing livestock as an example of the type of work that needs to be done.

You can listen to my interview with James Bolger here: world-ag-forum-07-bolger.mp3

World Agricultural Forum Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, International

Mizzou Ag Bloggers at World Ag Forum

Chuck Zimmerman

Bill Allen and Julia ShuckHere’s the current Mizzou Student Blogging Team, Bill Allen (left) and Julia Shuck (right). Bill has to return home but Julia, who is a freshman Agricultural Journalism major will be sticking around for the whole World Agricultural Forum. I’m hoping she’ll be able to supply me with some coverage after I leave tomorrow.

Be sure to check out her posts on the newly created Mizzou Agricultural Journalism Blog.

World Agricultural Forum Photo Album

Ag Groups, University

World Agricultural Forum 2007

Chuck Zimmerman

World Agricultural ForumThe main room for the World Agricultural Forum is set up in a kind of arena style with participants at tables on risers around a central podium and table where groups of speakers gather and talk on a specific subject.

I’m here to cover the event for the next day and then I’ll be seeking the help of the Mizzou Student Blogging Team for the rest of the conference. Right now these guys are talking about “How Do We Revolutionize The Global System To Meet The Growing Needs Of Food, Fuel, Fiber And Water For All?” I’m recording the presentation after doing some interviews on the break so you can expect some audio to come soon. There are representatives on this program from companies like Bunge North America, Tyson Foods and Monsanto and representatives from government and NGO’s in Uganda and Brazil.

All my photos are being uploaded to an online photo album. Feel free to check it out:

World Agricultural Forum Photo Album

Ag Groups, International

New Media Reporting on BIO 2007

Chuck Zimmerman

I have mentioned that the Biotechnology Industry Organization has embraced the use of new media tools for their current BIO 2007 taking place in Boston. Today their PR firm sent out an email that started out, “Bloggers, If you were unable to attend the BIO convention in Boston, you can still cover this event. . . “ Now how cool is it that they’re reaching out to the “bloggers?” They even mention a couple of them like Pharmalot and Patent Baristas. Stephen Albainy-Jenei who writes Patent Baristas looks like he got the gig to be the official BIO Blogger on their BIO Voice. Now there’s someone I’d like to meet since I haven’t run into too many who do what I do.

I’m not sure who it is that sent me this but the keynote speaker at BIO 2007 today was Michael J. Fox. You can watch a short video clip of his speech on YouTube.

So it looks like new media reporting has hit the biotech arena in a big way. I remember being told by the BIO staff last year that I was the only blogger on site. I guess times have changed.

Biotech

Some Think NAMA is Odd

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere Farm Plan AdI don’t know about you but I don’t feel odd.

That’s the word that Angela Natividad, AdRants, uses to describe the National Agri-Marketing Association.

In a post she did on John Deere’s NAMA winning ads for Farm Plan, like the one with the farmer walking a cute pooch, she says, “It’s odd enough that an association for agri-marketing in specific exists. Beyond that, it’s entirely possible that the salt of the earth may also be preoccupied with exfoliating.”

Whatever.

Advertising, NAMA

Paul McKellips Report From Iraq

Chuck Zimmerman

Paul McKellipsIt is great to hear from Paul McKellips again. He’s back for his 3rd stint behind the scenes in Iraq and finding the good news our mainstream media doesn’t want us to know. Good news just wouldn’t do in their politically motivated style of reporting. So as long as Paul keeps doing it, I’ll keep posting it.

You can listen to his latest report featuring MAJ Kevin Wellington, a large animal vet who is running an A-I program to improve genetics in Iraqi dairy cows here: iraq-wellington-dairy.mp3


Hi everybody. I’m back for my third – and as my wife likes to remind me…final – deployment to Iraq. Things are much different now then they were even a few months ago. I sense two key differences: (1) the tone and constant drum beat of the Iraq War debate back home is now evident on the faces of soldiers and diplomats alike. I just got back from a mission to Ramadi in Anbar Province and I heard several Marines and soldiers discussing the futility of public support; and (2) safety in the Green Zone has been rather perilous for the past 30 days. Incoming rocket attacks have become much more accurate. Six of our civilian colleagues have been killed and dozens injured in these violent attacks. As civilians, we haven’t trained and drilled for countless days and months to prepare for combat. So when “war” lands at our feet in the form of incoming rockets, it probably affects us differently than our brothers and sisters in the military. Read More

Audio, Dairy, International

New MU Agricultural Journalism Blog

Chuck Zimmerman

Bill AllenIn case you don’t at first notice, Bill Allen here has a Mac. As a Mac user now I’m seeing them everywhere. But that’s not the point of this post.

Bill teaches at the University of Missouri and he and his students have started the MU Agricultural Journalism Blog. I’m very proud of them. It seems like it was just a couple weeks ago that I did a presentation for them on this very subject. We’ll get to see them first in action at the World Ag Forum starting today or tomorrow. I’ll be there early tomorrow morning but it’s my understanding that Bill and his crew will there for the duration.

So I’m expecting to see some pictures and hopefully hear some audio. In fact, I’m counting on them to supply AgWired with some content, especially on Thursday when U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns will be speaking.

University