NCGA Awards Banquet

Chuck Zimmerman

Ken McCauley-Andy LeeEach of the commodity groups making up Commodity Classic have their annual banquets on the same night. Thanks to several people I got a couple of pictures to share.

This one is from the NCGA Awards Banquet. In it, NCGA President, Ken McCauley (left), is giving an appreciation plaque to BASF which was accepted by Andy Lee, Director of Business Operations, U. S. Crop Protection Products, for their sponsorship of the National Corn Yield Contest. From what I’ve heard Andy spoke passionately about the NCYC and really hit a home run. Here’s an excerpt from his comments:

Look ahead is exactly what we’re doing when it comes to demand for corn – particularly driven by ethanol. You’ve heard a lot about this all week. To seize this opportunity, we must continue to embrace technology…continue to innovate…continue to challenge our crop management practices and look at new ways to break the yield barrier. I have no doubt that U.S. corn growers are up to the challenge. With outstanding results. You only need to look at the fact we’re here tonight to honor corn yields of over 300 bu/A. When NCGA was formed 50 years ago, average corn yields in the U.S. were less than 50 bu/A.

That’s a testament to the National Corn Yield Contest – embodying the very best spirit of innovation. It takes a special type of person to take the risks…try something new…think through and manage carefully their contest fields. You are the leaders in the industry.

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is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

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The Wyant Perspective

Chuck Zimmerman

Sara WyantKind of sounds like a new Robert Ludlum novel doesn’t it?

It’s actually a Commodity Classic Learning Center session on “Perspectives on the 2007 Farm Bill” that was sponsored by John Deere. Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse Communications, was the moderator of a panel on this subject that featured Mark Halverson, Democratic Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and Chip Conley, Former Senior Economist, House Agriculture Committee.

I’m not even going to try to summarize their comments. That’s why I record these interviews! I interviewed Sara afterward to find out what these experts see for the coming farm bill, especially as it relates to the three commodity groups meeting here.

Listen to my interview with Sara here: cccast-23-wyant.mp3

This interview is part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Farm Policy, New Holland

BASF WINner

Chuck Zimmerman

Gary-Dan-LeonPictured here are Gary Schmitz, Dan Westberg and Leon Duchene. They were the team giving the BASF WIN session. WIN means “What is New.”

What is new from BASF is Status herbicide for corn, giving growers a new option in post-emergent broadleaf weed control. I interviewed all three guys to get the story on this new product from BASF. If you want to learn more about it they have a website dedicated to Status.

BASF is setting a new standard for post-emergent broadleaf weed control in corn with Status herbicide. Growers were able to learn more about this new premier herbicide during the BASF What Is New session Friday at Commodity Classic. “Status offers growers a new level of confidence in their weed control by controlling a broad spectrum of weeds while offering them superior crop safety,” said Leon Duchene, Status Product Manager, BASF at the session.

Not only does Status deliver superior control and excellent crop safety, it also provides simplicity. Dan Westberg, Ph.D., Technical Marketing Manager, BASF, told the crowd of more than 50 growers that “Status controls even the toughest yield-robbing weeds such as waterhemp, kochia, morningglory, Palmer amaranth, common and giant ragweed and common lambsquarters.”

Gary Schmitz, Ph.D., Midwest Technical Service Manager for BASF, reviewed university trial results and use recommendations for Status herbicide. This included recommendations for conventional corn and Roundup Ready corn as well as the flexibility to be used in a sequential application or a total post treatment.

I also learned that they are not wearing pink. The shirts are “man-salmon” colored.

Listen to my interview with Gary here: cccast-20-schmitz.mp3

Listen to my interview with Dan here: cccast-21-westberg.mp3

Listen to my interview with Leon here: cccast-22-duchene.mp3

These interviews are part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

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We Like Biodiesel

Chuck Zimmerman

Biodiesel StickerTo show support for the biodiesel industry all the equipment here at Commodity Classic seems to be displaying the logo in the windows of the cabs.

The stickers are supplied by the National Biodiesel Board which also had a booth in the trade show.

Representing NBB here was Gary Wheeler, Director of Operations.

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is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

BASF, Biodiesel, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Media Reception

Chuck Zimmerman

Media ReceptionI would be remiss in my coverage if I didn’t mention the fact that we had a very nice reception here for the media. This is an annual event and is sponsored by our sponsor, New Holland.

It’s a chance to gather together for some fellowship without having to do interviews. It’s a nice way to relax for a little while and I highly encourage all organizations to consider it if you don’t do this at your event.

This picture was taken when everyone was paying rapt attention to Gene Hemphill, New Holland, welcome us to Tampa.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

The NEVC Chairman

Chuck Zimmerman

Greg KrissekThe Chairman of the Board for the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. They are on display here at the Commodity Classic trade show. I haven’t had a chance to spend much time with NEVC before so I interviewed Steve to learn more about the organization.

Greg says that they are a real technical resource for consumers and anyone who wants more information about E-85. One of the highlights of their website is an online E-85 pump finder which he says the staff works very hard to keep updated. He says that there continues to be a very high level of interest in E-85 and that the crowd here seem to be very knowledgeable about it.

Listen to my interview with Greg here: cccast-19-krissek.mp3

This interview is part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

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New Holland Marketing True Blue

Chuck Zimmerman

Steve GorsuchThe New Holland director of marketing and brand development is Steve Gorsuch. He’s here at Commodity Classic and I caught up to him in the trade show this morning.

He says that the theme of their dealer meeting last month was “True Blue.” It was meant as a statement of who they are and their commitment to their customers and the industry. He also talks about their new decals and logo and says it’s meant to show their long legacy, strength and history of the company.

Listen to my interview with Steve here: cccast-18-gorsuch.mp3

This interview is part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

John Phipps and the Presidents

Chuck Zimmerman

Opening General SessionThe opening general session is taking place right now and the emcee is John Phipps, U. S. Farm Report. They said he’s back by popular demand. You must be doing good John.

John started out with a great monologue before introducing the presidents of each Commodity Classic participating organization. I know I already posted interviews with them but I thought you might enjoy their round table discussion. They talk about what’s happening in the industry and I think you’ll learn something. Pictured are (l-r), Rick Ostlie, ASA, Ken McCauley, NCGA, Dale Schuler, NAWG and John Phipps.

Listen to the presidents here (21 min): cccast-17-presidents.mp3

This interview is part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

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Opening Market Report

Chuck Zimmerman

Pam FretwellIt’s a tradition to have the current president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting give an opening general session market report here at Commodity Classic.

That duty was performed by Pam Fretwell, WTAD/WKAN. She was just hoping that the crowd wouldn’t kill the messenger as she gave yesterday’s dismal market prices.

She did point out that it was sunny warm here.

Listen to Pam’s report here: cccast-16-fretwell.mp3

This interview is part of the CommodityClassicCast podcast series.

AgWired coverage of Commodity Classic
is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

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Commodity Update Blogging the Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

Commodity UpdateProving that he’s an innovator once again, Joel Jaeger at Commodity Update is blogging from the Commodity Classic.

You can find Joel’s blog here. Commodity Update is an AgWired advertiser and if you don’t subscribe then I recommend you do. Business is good since he’s expanding the company.

Commodity Update today announced plans to join forces with Bryan Berry, Fowler, IN. Berry, who also farms 2,700 acres in northwest Indiana, has been providing commodity market information to farmers via delivery to pagers since 1994. “This strategic alignment is a natural fit,” says Commodity Update CEO Joel Jaeger, “Bryan has been a leader in the industry since the mid ’90s and contacted us with interest in making our technology available to his pager clients. We have a common interest in bringing timely information to producers and are excited about what lies ahead.” In addition to migrating current customers to Commodity Update’s cell phone based platform, Berry will become a licensed Commodity Update representative in Indiana and surrounding areas.

Other than two Monsanto-sponsored interns, Joel and myself, I don’t know of any other blogger covering the event. Do you? If so, let me know.

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is made possible by: BASF and New Holland

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