Hearing About Pioneer Research From Hawaii

Chuck Zimmerman

Virtual Hawaii Research StationAfter a short break this afternoon we got our virtual tour of the Pioneer Hawaii Research Station. Our presenters are Steven Lupkes, Coordinator and Cindy Goldstein, Outreach Manager. They are “online” with us on a two-way video/audio hookup. They’re talking about how and why they do research in Hawaii and the benefits and challenges it represents.

I recorded the first part of their presentation. This audio cut starts out with Cindy talking. Then there’s a few questions and answers. The questions didn’t record very well but you can hear Steve and Cindy very well. You can listen here: Listen To MP3 File Virtual Hawaii Research Station (9:04 MP3 File)

Agribusiness, Audio, Pioneer

Sit Down And Chill Out

Chuck Zimmerman

Frozen Pond GeeseRight behind the Pioneer Carver Center is a very pretty little pond which is totally frozen at the moment. I could see the geese through the window of the presentation room we’re in and had to take a quick shot of them before it gets too late.

They look pretty healthy. I’m betting that some pretty good quality corn is grown around here and these birds are well fed on the leftovers.

The warmest coat I’ve ever had was filled with goose down. It’s got to be pretty good protection or even these birds couldn’t sit on the ice in comfort.

Pioneer

How Pioneer Is Building A Better Bt

Chuck Zimmerman

Kyle WhitakerPresentation number two here at Pioneer is a tag team with Kyle Whitaker, Marketing Manager, who just got finished (pictured here) and Murt McLeod, Agronomy Research Scientist.

These guys are talking about “Building a Better Bt” and specifically Herculex.

Murt McLeodMurt’s taking now and he’s focusing on Herculex RW Research and describing the experimental design testing they’ve conducted. I’m recording the presentation and will decide later if it’s something to post. I will also try to get interviews with both these guys if time permits and post them later.

POST ADDITION:

After Kyle and Murt’s presentation I interviewed Kyle and he talks about the type of research that’s led to the new Bt products developed by Pioneer. He describes availability for the coming growing season and where growers can get more information.

You can listen to my interview with Kyle here: Listen To MP3 File Kyle Whitaker Interview (4:52 MP3 File)

Agribusiness, Audio, Pioneer

Media Using Computers

Chuck Zimmerman

Media GroupSince this is a “media” event then there’s got to be some media. Well here we are (I’m behind the camera). It’s a pretty good group of web/broadcast/print media representatives. I think it’s interesting that you can hear 6 different computers clicking away!

I wonder how many of us are “blogging” it.

Media, Pioneer

New Technology From Pioneer

Chuck Zimmerman

Bill KuhnThe first presentation here at the Pioneer event is with Bill Kuhn, Research Director. Bill is talking about new technologies and how Pioneer is bringing those solutions to market. Before we got started I interviewed Bill about these new technologies and what their goal is in bringing the media here today. I also asked him what he thought about blogging his research so producers can follow along with him as he creates the products they’ll be using in the future.

You can hear Bill’s answers in my interview with him here: Listen To MP3 File Bill Kuhn Interview (5:48 MP3 File)

Agribusiness, Audio, Pioneer

Preview Of The Pioneer Event With Jerry

Chuck Zimmerman

Pioneer Carver CenterWell we’re in the Pioneer Carver Center now and lunch is almost over. I interviewed Pioneer, Sales & Marketing/Public Relations Manager, Jerry Harrington before things got going. He gives us an overview of the Science of Solutions media event.

Jerry HarringtonYou can listen to my interview with Jerry here: Listen To MP3 File Jerry Harrington Interview (2:38 MP3 File)

Here’s Jerry watching the first presentation with Bill Kuhn.

Agribusiness, Audio, Pioneer

Time To Blog The Pioneer Event

Chuck Zimmerman

PioneerIt’s almost time for the Pioneer, “Science of Solutions” event to kick off in Johnston, IA. I’ll be heading over there shortly.

We’ve got an afternoon full of presentations starting with Bill Kuhn, Pioneer Research Director. He’ll be updating us on the Pioneer research pipeline. Later this afternoon we’ll take a virtual tour of the Pioneer Hawaii Research Station. Then we’ll hear about the whole issue of managing worldwide biotech regulatory acceptance. I’ll be recording the presentations and conducting interviews and hope to have some of it availabe during the afternoon.

Agribusiness, Pioneer

The Farm Hurt Is Deep and Wide

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensThere doomsayers and there are realists. A report in a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan newspaper caught my attention. In my opinion, it adds to the farming confusion – But at the same time, it lays it on the line.

Family grain and oilseed farms can no longer turn a profit, and society is at a crossroads where it must choose whether to subsidize them or let them fade away, a University of Saskatchewan professor says. Agricultural economics professor Hartley Furtan says an analysis of Statistics Canada data from 2003 shows government subsidies and income earned outside farm gates kept family farms. With similar incomes in 2004 and 2005, and a bleak outlook for 2006, it’s time for society to make a choice.

“If the sector is not important enough to warrant more financial support, let the market process take its course and we will have fewer farm families with less grain and oilseed production,” writes Furtan. “If it is the families we care about, we need to consider new policies such as guaranteed annual income for farmers.”

Canada’s new Ag Minister Chuck Strahl begged about 2,000 farmers in an Ottawa, Ontario rally for more time to solve the income crisis plaguing the country’s agriculture sector. Some heckled; others even turned their back on him.

Obviously, unfair to the minister, it shows how deep the hurt is on the farm. In fact, in Ontario, 70 percent of farmers don’t get their primary income from the farm

Siemens Says

Uncategorized

Elk, It’s What Could Be For Dinner

Chuck Zimmerman

Elk FarmWhile driving south from Red Wing and a little north of Rochester, MN, I passed an elk farm just before it got dark. Very pretty picture. Snow covered hillside and lots of these animals. They were a long way off so I pulled over on a very busy 4-lane and put my camera on a small tripod on top of my car to snap a couple pics.

Of course it was about 29 degrees, windy and 18 wheelers blowing past and rocking the car so this was not an easy thing to do. This was the best of about 10 shots I took before common sense took over and I got back into the car (warm) and back on the highway.

Uncategorized

Cruising Rural America

Chuck Zimmerman

Red Wing MinnesotaToday reminded me of my days in affiliate relations for the radio network business. Lots of windshield time. Leaving Minneapolis and driving to Red Wing, MN. Stopping in New Trier at Dan’s Bar & Grill for a hamburger on the way. Then driving on to Johnston, IA to spend the night prior to the Pioneer event the next 2 days.

I went to RedWing to visit with Tim McKim, The Idea Outpost. Good name for an agency and in a very interesting location. You should visit Tim sometime. We discussed AgNewsWire.AgWired.com and incorporating new media strategies into a marketing campaign for both ag and non-ag clients.

Agencies