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)

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iPod Giveaways Continue

Chuck Zimmerman April 12, 2006

I’m just can’t get over how many companies are giving away iPods here.

This is at the Novo Nordisk booth.

Do you remember AM radio, 78’s, 33’s, 8-tracks, FM radio, cassettes, CD’s? Okay, I guess some people still listen to CD’s. Mine are burned to iTunes and loaded on my iPod. How about you?

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)

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BIO Trade Show Ag Area

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

Agriculture is very well highlighted in the trade show here at BIO.

This was the only shot I could get from above the floor but you can see that there’s a little cornfield even in the middle of the area. Then different companies are located adjacent to it that are focused on agricultural biotechnology.

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Morning Musings

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

It’s early on Tuesday morning at BIO 2006. I’m here in the press room. There’s a plenary breakfast going on at which Health & Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt is speaking. I was going to record his speech off the audio feed here but it cut out right about the time he was supposed to start. Oh well. I’ve got a lot of other pics and audio to bring you. The breakfast meeting is a pretty good hike and I’m betting he won’t say anything about agriculture anyway.

At lunch we’re supposed to have former President Bill Clinton speak but he’s “closed” to the press. I guess he doesn’t allow us to record him or even take pictures of him. Well, sir, I’m not interested in what you have to say then. I guess I’ll miss that. I’m sure there’s lots of other more interesting things to find.

I’m still hoping to find a BIO staff member that I can interview about their communications effort here. I’ve been trying since Sunday but so far no interview. I’ll keep trying. I think it would be interesting to learn how BIO has managed the information outreach, including media relations for this event with almost 20,000 people and 1,600 companies exhibiting.

Time to edit some audio and pics.

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