Former CIA Director Talks Renewable Fuels

Chuck Zimmerman April 12, 2006

The plenary breakfast speaker today, R. James Woolsey, Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, just finished speaking. He really focused on how biotechnology can play a role in our national security. Besides what most people probably think of first in terms of cures or innoculants for bio-terror induced disease he spent a while talking about energy and independence from terrorist controlled foreign oil.

You can hear his comments on the role biotechnology can play in the renewable fuels area here: James Woolsey (6 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Audio, Biodiesel, Biotech, Ethanol

BASF Plant Science Debuts At BIO

Chuck Zimmerman April 12, 2006

BASF Plant Science held an end-of-day press conference to talk about their intent to dedicate more than $320 million over the next three years to develop biotechnological optimized crop plants.

On hand was company president, Dr. Hans Kast. He gave an overview of what the company is planning and how they will manage this effort. Here’s a sound bite from his speech where he specifically mentions using biotech crop innovations to further develop renewable fuels: Dr. Hans Kast 1 (2 min MP3)

Kast said that it will take a doubling of agricultural production in the coming years to achieve the goal of making renewable energy and world hunger relief a reality. I asked him if this is possible and how BASF is going to help make it happen. You can hear his answer here: Dr. Hans Kast 2 (2 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Agribusiness, Audio, Biodiesel, Biotech, Ethanol, International

International Ag Journalists Get “Earful” From IL Corn Grower

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

Last night Illinois farmer, banker, ethanol plant CEO and RFA board member Ray Defenbaugh was one of several people who spoke to a group of visiting agricultural journalists during a media reception sponsored by the US Grains Council and Illinois Corn Growers here at the BIO 2006 conference.

I interviewed Ray after his presentation and you can hear that conversation here: Defenbaugh Interview (3 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Ag Groups, Audio, Ethanol, International

BIO Trade Show Reception Time

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

It’s just about reception time here at BIO. I’m going to have to sign off for a while and make the rounds. These people are in the British Columbia pavilion with some flavored shooters for the upcoming trade show reception.

The Australia/New Zealand reception just ended. There was a very nice Shiraz being served along with some excellent cheese. The tastes sensations are a very big part of the social atmosphere here at BIO. Of course they are all “agricultural” products!

Stay tuned because I have a lot more to come.

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

International

Beyond Borders Biotech Report Released

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

Ernst & Young publishes an annual report on the biotechnology industry. The latest edition was just announced, titled, “Beyond Borders: The Global Biotechnology Report 2006.”

At their press conference this afternoon they reviewed some of the key findings on a regional basis. I asked the panel moderator, Donn Szaro, if the report contained information on agriculture, which they call the “second wave” of biotech. It does and he says they’ve brought back industry breakout charts which are even done by country so you can compare how different countries have been focusing on different segments of the biotech business. You can hear the answer here: Enrnst & Young Statement (2 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Biotech, International

New Zealand Dairy Business At BIO

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

I’ve been looking for a story on biotechnology related to dairy that I could use on World Dairy Diary. It hasn’t been an easy search. However, I was introduced to Dr. Suzanne Bertrand, Innovation Manager, Livestock Improvement. This is a genetics company based in New Zealand.

I sat down with Suzanne in the New Zealand pavilion earlier this morning at the huge trade show they have here. I think you’ll be interested in hearing what she has to say. She talks about her company and the role that biotechnology plays in it.

You can listen to the interview here: Dr. Suzanne Bertrand Interview (7 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Audio, Biotech, Dairy, International

How Biotech Is Perceived In Russia

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

The U. S. Grains Council and Illinois Corn Growers hosted a group of ag journalists from other countries this past week or so. Last night they were treated to an event here at BIO 2006 which took place at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

I met and interviewed Igor Abakumov through translator Jhenia Surkova. I think you can figure out who they are in the picture.

Igor explains how biotechnology is perceived by the public in his country. It sounds like the main concern has to do with food and not other forms of biotech products.

Remember that we’re going back and forth through Jhenia’s interpretation. I thought leaving it in would make the interview more interesting to listen to. You can listen to the interview here: Igor Abakumov Interview (6 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Audio, Biotech, International

ZimmCast With BIO Sponsor R&K

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

This week on the ZimmCast I interviewed our BIO 2006 coverage sponsor, Deron Johnson, Rhea & Kaiser Marketing and Communications.

Deron talks about why R&K decided to sponsor my coverage of this event. He says that they wanted to make sure the information was available to people in the business, including their own clients.

You can listen to this week’s program here: ZimmCast 64 (10 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes.

Agencies, Audio, Podcasts, ZimmCast

iPod Giveaways Everywhere

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

There’s no way a podcaster can ignore how many booths are giving away iPods here at BIO 2006. This is just one example (U. S. Pharmacopeia Booth). I think there’s about 1600 companies exhibiting here. Lots of them are offering this incentive.

I was going to take a picture of a downtown Chicago building that has a local bank banner hanging on it offering a free iPod to anyone who opens a checking account. I just couldn’t pull over in time.

Apple has got to have one of the best marketing campaigns ever. It doesn’t get any better than having everyone else advertise your product for you. Somehow I just don’t think podcasting is a “fad.”

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Podcasts

Interview With IL Corn

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

Agriculture is certainly playing a significant role here at BIO 2006 this year. You can even find a farm broadcaster hard at work like Tricia Braid Terry, WMBD, seen here interviewing Illinois Corn Growers Association board member and farmer, Art Bunting (center).

Next to him on the left is Illinois Corn Marketing Board Executive Director, Rodney Weinzierl.

I interviewed Rodney about the show. He talks about the difference in this year’s show compared to previous ones and describes his organization’s activities. You can listen to the interview here: Rodney Weinzierl (4 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn

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