RFA Ethanol Podcast

Debunking The Food vs. Fuel Myth

Chuck Zimmerman

Ron Litterer Being Interviewed By Tom Steever - Brownfield NetworkThe incoming 1st Vice President of the National Corn Growers Association is Ron Litterer, Greene, IA. I talked to Ron about the impact of using more and more corn for fuel and what his thoughts are on the issue of how that affects other uses of the commodity. Ron’s being interviewed here by Tom Steever of Brownfield Ag News.

Ron says that people need to realize we don’t have a “static” supply and that our American farmers can produce enough corn to handle the projected needs of the fuel and food industries. Ron also feeds hogs and he says that after two years of very low priced corn he has no problem with the fact that the price of corn may rise. In fact, he says this is a good thing for all farmers.

You can listen to my interview with Ron here: Listen To MP3 Ron Litterer Interview (4 min MP3)

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Audio, Ethanol, Farm Progress Show

Sticky Trap Program

Kelcy

Kelcy SchroderEarlier this morning, Monsanto had their first Press Conference. The topic being discussed was the Sticky Trap Program.

FFA students with a Sticky TrapSpeakers Glenn Stith, Vice President of Monsanto U.S. Branded Business, Clint Pilcher, Corn Technology Development Manager, and Wayne Natress, Executive Director were present to speak about the Sticky Trap Program! The Sticky Trap Program was an experiment to determine the amount of rootworm variance across the cornbelt. In order for Monsanto to enroll the program, they asked local FFA Chapters across the cornbelt to help them out. The following states were involved in the experiment: Illinios, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In the state of Iowa, all 99 counties participated in the event and for their contributions, Monsanto has donated $50 for every Sticky Trap the Chapter recorded information on.

Two FFA members where able to attend the Press Conference, Kyle Simonson and Andy Struecker. Both of them agreed that the Sticky Trap Program was very educational and rewarding. The best thing they liked about the experience was getting to know the farmers. The farmers were willing to work with the students and it added some one-on-one training. The farmers can also look at the results from the testing at www.866rootdig.com.

Listen to my interview with Kyle Simonson and Andy Struecker here: Listen to MP3 FFA interview (2 min. MP3)

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Audio, Farm Progress Show

Wind Powering America

Kelcy

Kelcy SchroderNew Ag Markets are coming out everyday but Wind Energy is becoming more popular. Many of you have seen the wind turbines in northwestern Iowa, and also in many other western states.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Wind turbines are located in rural areas so they can generate energy for urban areas long with rural areas too. Farmers may still plant crops around the turbines and graze livestock and not have an effect on the turbines. Unlike most electric generated sources, the wind turbines do not comsume water! There are many pros to owning or being a part-owner in a wind turbine. In my interview with Roya Stanley, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, she also informed me that the USDA will also fund up to 25% of the costs of a wind turbine to be put up.

Wind turbines are being installed across America, but mainly dominated the northwestern part of the United States. Wind turbines are more valuable and have greater contribution to surrounding areas if the area is known for being windy. All 50 states have the capability to power wind turbines but not all of them can support utility-scale power plants.

As technology advances, Wind Energy is going to become more poplular and one of the main sources of energy!

Listen to my interview with Roya here: Listen to MP3 Roya Stanley Interview (5 min. MP3)

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Audio, Farm Progress Show

Fixing Rootworm Problem

Kelcy

Kelcy SchroderThis morning I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Dave Rhylander, Monsanto’s Director of Traits. He will be speaking later today in the Press Conference.

Kelcy Interviews Dave RhylanderThe main topic we talked about was rootwarms and what Monsanto is doing to prevent/solve that problem. Monsanto recommends using YieldGard Plus to prevent rootwarms and the outcomes of using YieldGard Plus have been outstanding!! The roots grow deeper, being able to recieve more moisture and have had better consistant yields!

Listen to my interview with Dave here: Listen to MP3 Dave Rhylander Interview (4 min. MP3)

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Audio, Farm Progress Show

Show Entrance

Chuck Zimmerman

Entrance On Opening DayWe just heard the raindrops start falling here in the media tent.

Maybe you can see in this picture that it is a little muddy out. Hopefully this rain will be brief, drain off and then things will dry up.

For Farm Progress Show alumni it’s no big deal. We just deal with it and keep moving on.

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Farm Progress Show

Opening Day

Chuck Zimmerman

Media TentIt’s opening day here at the Farm Progress Show. Kelcy and I are getting set up and she’s waiting on her first interview. She’ll be covering the first press conference of the day which is being conducted by our sponsor, Monsanto.

In the meantime we’re battling mosquitos here in the media tent. I’m sure they love the standing water we have outside right now. It rained some more late yesterday evening but seems to be clearing up this morning.

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Farm Progress Show

Media Tent Man

Chuck Zimmerman

Gene HemphillThe media tent at Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and the media tent man is Gene Hemphill.

Gene just got in so I got him to talk about what he does here after he tested out the microphone on the press conference podium. Gene says that this will be his 19th media room sponsorhip for Farm Progress Show but that he actually did a media room sponsorship for a show here at Amana Colonies the year before. You’ll have to listen to the interview to hear him talk about the first years when they put typewriters out with reams of paper.

A lot has changed in 19 years Gene!

You can listen to my interview with Gene here: Listen To MP3 Gene Hemphill Interview (5 min MP3)

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Audio, Farm Progress Show

Monsanto Show Staff Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

Monsanto Staff MeetingI think Kelcy and I are going to have our hands full covering all the activities planned by Monsanto, our sponsor.

They’ve got a large exhibit and we’re going to learn more about the new things they have to offer over the next several days, along with coverage of as much of the show as we can.

Kelcy sat in on this staff meeting in their exhibit while I went back to the media tent to do a few posts.

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Farm Progress Show

Farm Progress Show Manager

Chuck Zimmerman

Matt JungmannIf you want to know what’s going on you go right to the main man. Here at the Farm Progress Show that’s Matt Jungmann, National Shows Manager for Farm Progress Companies. I was lucky and ran into Matt right away in the office building.

Matt says they’ve had about an inch and a half of rain since last night but it’s stopped and clearing up a bit. He says they’ll work all night to move mud and have the show ready for people by opening time tomorrow.

You can listen to my interview with Matt here: Listen To MP3 Matt Jungmann Interview (2 min MP3)

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Audio, Farm Progress Show

Glad to be at the Farm Progress Show!

Kelcy

Kelcy SchroderHey Everybody! Kelcy here now!! I just got comfortable with the computer and programs here. Chuck has done a great job of helping me learn the new programs and learn how to do my posts!!

I’m excited to be doing the coverage this week for the Farm Progress Show. I hope to do a good job for all of you readers/subscribers!! Again, my name is Kelcy Schroder and I grew up in Princeton, IA (north of Davenport.) I have been raised on a farm with livestock and grain. I show Polled Hereford cattle and have always had an interest in agriculture. I go to Iowa State University, majoring in Ag Communications and Communication Studies. Coming to the Farm Progress Show, blogging, taking pictures, and doing interviews will fit in right along with my majors! I am excited to meet new people, learn about what new technologies are coming out, and I look forward to updating the status of the show with you.

As for right now, there is not to much action going on… I’m sitting in the Media Tent where it is nice and dry in here. It’s just a little muddy outside! I got here, and it was hard to find a place to park, since I drive a car, where I would be able to get out later and not be stuck. As I was driving around, I already saw one car stuck and they were pulling it out. Hopefully the rain will slow down so it will harden up for the rest of the show. If any of you are planning on coming to the show, I would plan on bringing a pair of boots!!

I would like to thank Monsanto along with AgWired for giving me the opportunity to come to the Farm Progress Show and be updating the events with you as they come!! I hope you will enjoy reading my blogs and getting to know me a little bit better!!

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Monsanto: Monsanto

Farm Progress Show