Perdue Confirmation Hearing Set

Cindy Zimmerman March 17, 2017

Sonny Perdue will get a step closer to the office of agriculture secretary next week.

The Senate agriculture committee will hold a hearing March 23 on the nomination of the former Georgia governor, who was the last cabinet member to be named by President Trump. Two other cabinet members, Robert Lighthizer for U.S. trade representative and Alexander Acosta for labor secretary, are also still awaiting confirmation two months after President Trump took office.

Meanwhile, President Trump’s budget released this week calls for a 21 percent cut in USDA’s budget – about $4.7 billion – in discretionary spending, including cuts in rural water projects.

USDA

Bayer Invests $8 Million in Midwest Soybean Research

Cindy Zimmerman March 16, 2017

On Thursday, Bayer wrapped up a week of grand openings by celebrating the expansion of the Soybean Breeding and Trait Development Center in Champaign County, Illinois. The new station will house research and development to identify, develop and test new varieties, using modern breeding methods, pushing the limits of yield potential for growers in the Midwest.

The expansion is part of a three-year, $1 billion commitment from Bayer to invest in new research facilities, expansions and renovations around the country.

Listen to the complete press conference about expansion and future research here: Midwest Field Tech Station Soybean Breeding & Trait Development Presser

View and download photos from the event here: Bayer Soybean Research – Illinois

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Research, Soybean, Video

St. Patrick’s Day Medal Awarded to Alltech Founder

Kelly Marshall March 16, 2017

Taoiseach Enda Kenny (right) presents The Science Foundation Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal 2017 to Dr. Pearse Lyons, president of Alltech, at the United States Institute of Peace. Photographed by Nick Crettier.

Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech, and Professor Adrian E. Raftery, professor of statistics and sociology at the University of Washington, have been presented with the Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) ‘St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal.’ The medal recognizes their outstanding accomplishments and their role in researching Ireland’s ecosystem. The honor is given to an Irish scientist, engineer or technology leader living and working in the U.S.

Dr. Lyons, born in Dundalk, is the first Irish scientist to have created a science-based global business. Alltech now trades in more than 120 countries, employees 5,000 team members and maintains three bioscience centers for research and education, one in County Meath, Ireland.

Congratulating the recipients at an award event held in the United States Institute of Peace in Washington D.C., An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, said: “I am delighted to present the SFI St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal on behalf of Science Foundation Ireland, to these two exceptional leaders. Dr. Lyons and Prof. Raftery have both had a huge impact in their own areas of expertise and played pivotal roles in the development of researchers in Ireland.”

Agribusiness, Alltech

Soybeans on the Mississippi Delta – THE Place To Be

Jamie Johansen March 16, 2017

Marion, Arkansas is the new home for soybean research from Bayer. The Marion Soybean Breeding and Trait Development Station sets the stage for the future of soybean improvements with this major investment from Bayer.

Chris Tinius, Bayer global soybean breeding director, said this piece of ground was very special to him. He actually worked on the same 180 acres of research and showcase plots starting as a soybean breeding in 1989 following Dr. Grover Shannon. “I am utterly convinced this is where great soybean varieties are born – on this farm, with this soil. The heart of the Mississippi Delta is so productive and predictive of what will be successful. This is the place to be.”

Chris said Bayer made a big effort to acquire the farm and build the state-of-the-art station. At Bayer we are “working on solutions to the problems we have now but also those that will cycle through and replace those solutions that we hope to introduce in the next few years.”

Weed control seems to be at the top of Chris’s list of things to tackle with the future of this new station. Listen to my complete interview with Chris to learn more: Interview with Chris Tinius, Bayer

View and download photos from the event here: New Bayer U.S. Research Facilities

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Research, Soybean

Alltech to Showcase Industry Leaders at ONE17

Jamie Johansen March 16, 2017

Alltech has finally announced their lineup of renowned keynote speakers for the 2017 ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference. George Blankenship, former executive at Tesla Motors, Apple Computer and GAP Inc. will use his experience to provide unmatched insight into building and creating brand loyalty and awareness, competitive positioning in the market and what it takes to deliver superior customer care.

Jack Bobo, senior vice president and chief communications officer for Intrexon, assesses the relationship between science and agriculture. He will offer his unique perspective on global trends in agriculture, consumer perceptions and science communication.

Dr. Peter Diamandis, international pioneer in innovation and New York Times best-selling author, will share his insight and strategies for making big impacts on the future.

“This year’s audience should prepare for truly disruptive ideas when they hear from these influential leaders,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech’s founder and president. “From changing the car-buying experience to serving as the architect of Apple’s brand-building retail methodology, George Blankenship has disrupted the status quo in several industries. Peter Diamandis taught us how to go big, create wealth and impact the world through his book ‘Abundance.’ And Jack Bobo is a name synonymous with biotechnology and consumer perceptions.”

Agribusiness, Alltech

Second Biggest @ComClassic Ever!

Cindy Zimmerman March 16, 2017

Despite some challenging economic times in farm country this year, thousands headed to San Antonio earlier this month to “Farmer Up!” and attend the 2017 Commodity Classic.

The final total for attendance was 9,303 – second only to last year’s Classic in New Orleans. That total included over 4100 growers and 920 first time attendees.

“Commodity Classic continued in its tradition of excellence this year, demonstrating the enthusiasm America’s farmers have for continuous learning and improvement,” said Commodity Classic Co-Chair Kevin Ross of Iowa. “From the exhibit halls to the learning sessions, the men and women who attended generated an electric energy sparked by their passion for agriculture.”

The trade show featured 425 participating companies, including 83 first-time exhibitors who filled 2,266 booth spaces and represented a wide range of technology, innovation, equipment, products and services.

We have most of our stories from Classic done at this point – you can find links to everything in the Commodity Classic virtual newsroom. Thanks to all of the great companies who made it possible for us to being Classic to you!

2017 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Commodity Classic coverage made possible by

Commodity Classic, Corn, NCGA

FMC Talks Weed Resistance Strategy at #Classic17

Chuck Zimmerman March 15, 2017

Weed resistance may just be one of the most discussed topics at meeting I’ve been attending the last couple years and that didn’t change at Commodity Classic. FMC is one of the companies that has worked aggressively on this issue and I spoke with Ken Smith about it. He told me, “What we have learned in the last ten years of our research is, we can not spray these out post emergence. We have to rely on soil applied herbicides.”

A suggestion from FMC is to adopt their Overlap System. Growers, like the one visiting with Ken in the photo, can find a lot more information about this strategy on the FMC website.

The Overlap System involves: (1) applying strong residual herbicides preplant or preemergence to control weeds early in the season (2) following that application with an early postemergence herbicide that features a different mode of action.

You can listen to my interview with Ken here:
Interview with Ken Smith, FMC

2017 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Commodity Classic coverage made possible by

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, FMC, Video, weed management

Tribute to Don Norton

Chuck Zimmerman March 15, 2017

I have a lot of great photos of Don Norton. I decided that I couldn’t do better than this montage from Christy Lee Couch’s FB page. Don passed away this week and he is going to be sorely missed by not only his family but so many people in our industry. I’ve had so many great conversations with Don over the years that I can tell you I will miss him.

Christy really said what well what I and many others feel on her Facebook Post. Here’s part of what she wrote:

When he asked how you were doing? He truly meant it. I have met few people who take such a genuine interest in the lives of their friends. And I promise, you’ll never meet a man who was more proud of his family — you just knew he loved them as no other.

There will never be an Agricultural Media Summit that is the same, without that greeting and big hug from Don at the airport.

Here’s a link to another tribute with a great photo of Don from the Livestock Publications Council FB page.

LPC

Bayer Opens Arkansas Soybean Breeding Station

Jamie Johansen March 15, 2017

Southern soybean growers will reap the benefits of an expanded breeding program from Bayer, which includes a $6-million Soybean Breeding and Trait Development Station surrounded by 180 acres of research and showcase plots in Marion, Arkansas.

The innovative facility builds on a proven history of profitable, high-yielding soybean varieties that Bayer brings to market through its flagship Credenz soybean brand. Work here will focus on providing the maturity group (MG) 4 and 5 varieties that are essential to soybean production in the south.

“When launched in 2014, Credenz soybeans added strength to the production opportunities available to growers,” says Chris Tinius, Bayer global soybean breeding director. “This new facility adds weight to the bar Credenz raised.”

The Marion Soybean Breeding and Trait Development Station was part of Bayer’s commitment to invest nearly $1 billion in the U.S. between 2013 and 2016 in new facilities and capital expansion. The Bayer team is poised to deliver higher returns for growers focused on addressing soybean production challenges, particularly Sudden Death Syndrome, southern stem canker, southern root-knot nematode and soybean cyst nematode.

Listen to the complete announcement and press conference here: Marion Soybean Breeding and Trait Development Station Press Conference

View and download photos from the event here: New Bayer U.S. Research Facilities

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Crop Science, Research, Soybean, Video

Scholarship Recipients Honored at #Classic17

Kelly Marshall March 15, 2017

NCGA committee chair Paul Taylor (center) with scholarship winners Izak Christensen, Michael Tupper, Rodrigo Mendoza, Kelsey Barnes and Rachel Stevens

The National Corn Growers Association and BASF have given five undergraduate or graduate students studying agriculture the William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship. These passionate and motivated students were presented with their $1,000 scholarships at a ceremony during the recent 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas.

“Our industry needs a well-educated and dedicated group of future leaders to help create demand and feed our growing world,” said NCGA President Wesley Spurlock, a corn grower from Stratford, Texas. “These five scholarship winners will help this happen.”