#Seed is Focus of New @BASFAgProducts R&D Center

Cindy Zimmerman December 8, 2016

BASF’s new Research and Development facility in Limburgerhof, Germany that just opened this year has brought a new center of expertise into the growing world of biological crop protection and seed solutions. Nathan Froese with BASF ‎R&D Seed Solutions for the Americas was at the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo this week to highlight some of the work being done at the facility.

“We do application of products to the seed and testing to see what value they provide for growers,” said Froese. “We also do work on coatings that provide color and improved flow.”

Froese says the R&D done at the Germany facility feeds into other BASF research centers around the world, including U.S. facilities in North Carolina and Iowa. “All of these sites work together very closely and the new site really acts as an R&D hub for seed solutions,” he said, noting that this is speeding up the research process for the company. “The state of the art equipment really helps us move new compounds through quicker.”

Learn more about BASF biologicals and seed solutions R&D in this interview: Interview with Nathan Froese, BASF

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Creating Disney Magic At #ARA2016

Lizzy Schultz December 8, 2016

The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Conference had a magical closing statement to end this year’s sessions with Lee Cockerell, retired Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World giving a closing address titled “You Can create Disney Magic Too.”

Cockerell’s address focused on the factors he believes are the key to running a successful business: “It’s not magic that makes Disney World work, it’s the way we work,” he said. He stressed the importance of hiring and promoting the right people, as well as having systems in place to help pick them out, implementing and enforcing quality training programs, and creating a positive and inclusive work culture for employees. “Those three things translate to the bottom line, and they translate to more ingenuity and creativity,” said Cockerell in an interview following his address.

He also emphasized that organization, competency, and strong leadership skills are absolute necessities for executives looking to run successful businesses. “When you do the hard things, life gets easier,” he said. “Do something hard every week and your life will continue to get easier, but if you only do the easy things, life will get harder, and it will come back and bite you.”

Cockerell also has published a number of books on professional development. His latest book, Career Magic, relays an account of the numerous obstacles young professionals are bound to face in their careers and offers advice on how to keep them from taking control. “I’ve been passed over, I’ve been fired, I’ve been disappointed, and you’ve just got to go out and get back at it,” he said. “I worry about young people giving up too quick because they don’t get it quick enough, but you need to be patient with your career.”

Learn more in Chuck’s full interview with Lee here: Interview with Lee Cockerell, Walt Disney World

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Evolution of Plant Breeding in Focus at #ASTACSS

Kelly Marshall December 7, 2016

ASTA CSS in Chicago this week brought together a panel of experts to talk about the future of gene editing and it’s role in the agriculture industry.

“Plant breeding is an evolving practice. It’s an evolving science.” said American Seed Trade Association President and CEO Andy LaVigne. “Plant breeding builds upon itself.” LaVigne outlined the milestones in plant breeding, beginning 10,000 years ago when man using selection breeding, all the way up to the new frontier of gene editing and precision breeding. Andy LaVigne, ASTA

Jerry Flint serves as the Vice President of Industry Affairs and Regulatory at DuPont Pioneer. He addressed CRISPR-Cas, a revolutionary plant breeding technique in which Pioneer is leading the way. “We need to continue to upgrade our toolbox in term of what’s avaialbe to plant breeders so that we provide the best tool and research development program to meet those growing needs,” Flint says. Jerry Flint, DuPont Pioneer

Corinne Marshall introduced the application of gene editing in vegetables. As IP & Licensing Manager of Sakata Seeds America, Corinne sees advantages of the technology to increase nutrition in food, like helping broccoli retain nutrients lost in cooking or using watermelon to lower blood pressure. Corinne Marshall, Sakata Seeds America

Juliet Marshall, Associate Professor at the University of Idaho, explained how the CRISPR-Cas technology is different from GMOs. Her presentation showed how a simple deletion of one DNA code could enhance genes already present in the plant. Juliet Marshall, University of Idaho

In addition to developing the new technology, stakeholders will need to address consumer perception of gene editing and learn lessons from the backlash against GMOs. ASTA Chairman Mark Herrmann, CEO and President of AgReliant Genetics, said the industry is planning to “get out in front of the conversation.” Lavigne and Flint also weighed in on the need for transparency and consumer education efforts. Gene Editing and Consumers

Be sure to listen to the audio links for full comments from each of the presenters.

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The Ag Outlook at #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman December 7, 2016

The perennial highlight of the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo is Dan Basse with Ag Resource Company with his global ag outlook. No one can cram as much information into a one hour presentation as Dan Basse!

Despite the downturn in the farm economy domestically, Basse says it was better on a global scale. “If you’re sitting in Brazil, Russia, Argentina, or even Europe, it wasn’t such a bad year,” he said. Especially for farmers in Argentina, who got a tax break for Christmas last year from their new president Mauricio Macri that just kept on giving throughout 2016. “If you’re an Argentinian farmer, you woke up after Mr. Macri was elected and you got approximately $240 extra,” Basse said. “We believe that Argentina will become an export powerhouse of agriculture in the years to come.”

As far as the new president for the United States, Basse says there’s a lot of uncertainties when it comes to a Trump presidency at this point. “We haven’t even decided on an ag secretary as of yet,” he said. But, Basse does believe that President Trump will be very good for biofuels.

Listen to a ten minute summary of Basse’s major points in this interview: Interview with Dan Basse, Ag Resource Company

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Measure, Model, Fix – Big Data’s Role in Animal Ag

Jamie Johansen December 7, 2016

When the term ‘big data’ is used in agriculture, we generally think crops. However, we are hearing it more and more in animal agriculture circles. “Big data and models: Are they really useful in disease management?” turned the conversation towards swine health at the 2016 North American PRRS Symposium as Dr. Jim Lowe, University of Illinois, took the stage during Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedia, Inc.’s sponsored session.

After working to control PRRS for 20 years, Dr. Lowe began to question if there were other ways to look at it. Engineers work with complicated systems at a number of levels. Dr. Lowe simply asked how they solve problems, “We teach engineers to think in this pattern, which is measure what the system is doing, model it up so you can understand and try your interventions and then go fix it.”

Vets are trained to solve the problem today. We naturally want things fixed quickly. As PPRS has become more complicated, Dr. Lowe said taking a broad approach has shown value. But how do we leverage the data in animal health?

“To make that happen, there are four steps. We have to think about how we aggregate the data and how do we build those collaborations to allow the aggregation to happen. Then, how do we use sophisticated modern tools to do the analysis. Finally, how do we synthesize the information and give it back to producers in a way they can drive decisions by it.”

In my complete interview with Dr. Lowe hear more about the use of practical, simple solutions that can be driven to the field today and changes made tomorrow. Interview with Dr. Jim Lowe, University of Illinois

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 BIVI PRRS Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pork, Research, Swine

Changing of the Chairs at #ARA2016

Cindy Zimmerman December 7, 2016

Premier Ag CEO Harold Cooper hands the ARA Chairman’s Gavel to BRANDT COO Tim McArdle

Premier Ag CEO Harold Cooper hands the Chairman’s Gavel to BRANDT COO Tim McArdle

A new chairman for the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) took the gavel last week during the organization’s annual meeting in Orlando.

BRANDT Chief Operating Officer Tim McArdle received the gavel from Harold Cooper, CEO of Premier Ag Co-Op, and will serve a one-year term. “I’m incredibly humbled to take on this role and I look forward to working with ARA to provide leadership for our industry,” said McArdle. “I see my job as helping our industry maintain our freedom to operate in a highly regulated environment.”

McArdle is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Retailers Association, Fluid Fertilizer Foundation, Responsible Ag and AgGateway. He also serves on the BRANDT Board of Directors.

In an address to the audience at the annual meeting, McArdle touched on the importance of ARA and other industry groups and the strength of previous ARA leadership.

“I’ve seen firsthand the scale of professionalism of the staff at ARA during my tenure on the executive committee,” he said. “You guys are out there amongst the people all the time, actively engaging with the industry to find out what is important for us to act on.”

Listen to McArdle’s full address here:
Changing of the ARA Chairs

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Moving the Middle at #ASTACSS

Kelly Marshall December 7, 2016

Tim Hassigner with Dow AgroSciences was at ASTA CSS & Seed Expo to talk with members of the seed industry about the gap in information between themselves and consumers.

“It’s definitely a time when there’s more questions and concerns related to food, but […] information sharing can make a difference,” he told the audience durning the morning session.

The consumer voice is on the rise. Despite this summer’s passage of the Labeling Law, a growing number of people, especially women and moms, told the Center for Food Integrity that food production in the U.S. is on the wrong track. Fortunately, Hassigner says, many of those opinions aren’t fixed.

Among the general public, roughly one third of consumers are for GMOs, one third are against, and one third are undecided. When one such group was assembled for a debate on the topic, opinions at the end of the event were reported as approximatly 60 percent for, 30 percent against, and 9 percent undecided.

“What occurred here is we moved the middle,” Hassigner explains. “When information is shared it has a significant impact on the middle.”

In the effort to inform the public, Hassigner encourages members of the seed industry to find a partner in the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). It was only with their help the Labeling Law was achieved.

Listen to Hassigner’s here to learn more: Tim Hassigner, Dow AgroSciences

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#JustGrowIt Video Unveiled at #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman December 7, 2016

A new video that puts a face on plant breeders was unveiled by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) during the opening general session of its CSS 2016 & Seed Expo in Chicago Tuesday.

The “Mom, Gardener, Plant Breeder” video is the latest initiative in ASTA’s “Better Seed, Better Life” communications program and it features Jessie Alt, a mother, home gardener, and professional plant breeder—along with her two daughters who help out with their home garden.

“The seed industry has a great story to tell, and this video helps us do that,” said ASTA President & CEO Andrew W. LaVigne. “Jessie, like all of our plant breeders, is passionate about producing new and improved varieties of nutritious crops in a sustainable manner to meet the needs of local farmers and American families.”

This video is part of a larger advocacy and social media campaign to share information with consumers about the importance of seed improvement and its connection to quality of life. As we work to solve the challenges that farmers face, create a more sustainable food supply, and increase choices for American families at the grocery store, it all starts with a seed, and better seed means better life.

Listen to ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne interview Jessie and her family during the ASTA-CSS general session: ASTA-CSS General Session

Watch the video below and share it online with the hashtag #JustGrowIt.

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Deere Appoints Beverly Flores Media Relations Manager

Chuck Zimmerman December 6, 2016

Congratulations to Beverly Flores for her new role with John Deere. I think the legacy of the Magic Man, Barry Nelson, is in good hands. I wonder if he ever taught Beverly a few card tricks! LOL.

Beverly Flores, formerly manager of external communications for John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG), has been named media relations manager for John Deere Ag & Turf Division for Region 4. Flores takes over for Barry Nelson, who retired at the end of October.

Previously, Flores was responsible for creating and managing a consistent global messaging platform for precision ag technologies targeting both internal and external audiences. In this role she worked closely with marketing communications, media relations, and employee communications to deploy clear, concise messaging to the technology media and external stakeholders. She has held several other positions within Deere, including manager, Public Affairs John Deere Financial and Iowa, where she represented John Deere’s issues in the Iowa Capitol; John Deere Financial on state issues; and co-chaired the John Deere Farm Bill team. During her 16 years at John Deere, Flores also has held various product marketing and territory manager positions within the John Deere Ag & Turf Division.

In her new role, effective immediately, Flores maintains her external communications responsibilities for ISG and takes over product public relations and media relations activities, special events and sponsorships for John Deere Ag & Turf for the United States and Canada. She also is responsible for ag-related social media and publications including the Furrow, Homestead and Leader magazines.

Agribusiness, John Deere

Poll Shows Support for Water Infrastructure Bill

Lizzy Schultz December 6, 2016

A national poll released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) found that voters strongly support federal funding for water pipelines and waterways and resources that prevent drinking water contamination crises, like those that occurred in Flint, MI. Congress reached an agreement on the legislation late yesterday, but still have funding issues to work out.

These findings were part of a national poll commissioned by AEM to gauge voter perceptions and attitudes about United States water infrastructure broadly and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 specifically, a major water infrastructure resource authorization bill currently awaiting final passage in the lame-duck Congress.

“Improving and modernizing U.S. infrastructure overall, and in this case, water infrastructure, continues to be a bipartisan priority among voters,” said Dennis Slater, AEM President. “Congressional leaders in both the U.S. Senate and House are to be commended for taking action on their respective versions of a 2016 WRDA bill, but should reach consensus on a final version before the 114th Congress adjourns.”

A number of key findings identified in the poll include:

A majority (54 percent) of registered voters say that U.S. water infrastructure is in fair or poor condition.
Nearly seven out of 10 (67 percent) of the surveyed population believe that the federal government should spend somewhat more or much more on water pipelines and waterways.
More than seven out of every 10 (74 percent) registered voters either support or strongly support Congress passing WRDA.
A clear majority (73 percent) of registered voters are either somewhat or much more likely to support WRDA when they learn that it might prevent drinking water crises such as the one in Flint, MI.

The national poll was conducted as part of AEM’s ongoing efforts to develop a long-term national vision for U.S. infrastructure through its Infrastructure Vision 2050 initiative.

An analysis of the poll results is available here.

AEM, Ag Groups, Water

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