M-Series Is Driving Yield Enhancements

Chuck Zimmerman

Paul StephensWe’re back in the presentation room here at Pioneer. Today is research day. Lots of information about the research work that’s going on.

To get us started, Paul Stephens, Senior Research Scientist, talked about the M-Series soybean program. Probably most of you have seen one of their advertisements with the green soybean plant flexing its muscle. It’s all about improving yields.

Right now Paul is doing Q & A. He was just asked about the idea of a consistent 100 bushel/acre yield. He thinks that’s about 10 to 15 years away since he’s currently hearing about consistent 70+ bushel/acre yields.

Agribusiness, Pioneer

Siemens Says It On CJOB

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensYesterday Harry sent in a segment from a talk radio show he frequently appears on. I thought you might enjoy it.

The regulations proposed by the Province of Manitoba government to deal with agriculture’s impact on water quality are unscientific, unenforceable, and will only put many small family farms out of business. Farm Journalist Harry Siemens debates the issue with Larry Updike, the Morning Man on News Talk CJOB Radio in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

You can listen here: Listen To MP3 File Harry On CJOB (2:40 MP3 File)

Audio

Dealing With International Biotech Regs

Chuck Zimmerman

Thomas WestOur final presentation of today here at the Pioneer event is being given by Thomas West, VP, Biotech Affairs & Business Support. It’s Thomas’ job to work on biotech regulatory acceptance around the world. I’m assuming this means he’s got some serious frequent flyer miles.

Right now he’s summarizing the situation in different areas of the world like China, India and the EU. There’s obviously a lot of regulatory action taking place in various countries.

I’m going to interview Thomas after he’s done and I’ll update this post then.

POST ADDITION:

You can listen to my interview with Thomas here: Listen To MP3 File Thomas West Interview (4:06 MP3 File)

Agribusiness, Audio, Pioneer

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