Bayer Holds #FutureFarming Dialog at Headquarters

Chuck Zimmerman September 7, 2016

Giving a keynote address to about 200 agricultural journalists this week in Leverkusen, Germany at the Future of Farming Dialog 2016 was Liam Condon, President of the Bayer Crop Science Division.

There were three key areas to Condon’s address: challenges in agriculture, innovation and sustainability. He started out with a statement that he can not comment on the negotiation between Bayer and Monsanto. Liam made a point that even with a volatile agricultural market right now, Bayer will continue to invest significantly in the Crop Science Division.

During his keynote address, Condon confirmed the current outlook for the Crop Science Division of Bayer in 2016: “In light of the continuingly weak market environment, we expect Crop Science to continue to outperform the market with sales to remain on the prior-year level on a currency- and portfolio adjusted basis. This is equivalent to reported sales of about EUR 10 billion.”

Condon also outlined the current Crop Science R&D pipeline with products to be launched from 2015 to 2020, highlighting a combined peak sales potential of more than EUR 5 billion. Beyond 2020, the R&D organization is working with more than 20 R&D targets in chemical crop protection, six targets for biological crop protection and eight targets for traits. In addition, the breeding programs include nine field crop targets in late development and research and 27 vegetable targets.

Condon also confirmed the commitment to R&D: “With about 10 percent of sales going into R&D our investment into innovation remains at an industry leading level in the agricultural industry. Irrespective of the volatility of the agricultural cycle, we need to take the long-term approach to innovation because in our highly regulated industry it takes us on average about 10 years to develop new products.”

You can listen to Liam’s speech and the Q&A here: Liam Condon, Bayer, Speech - Q&A

Please feel free to view and share photos from #FutureFarming here: Bayer Future of Farming Dialog 2016 Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer

Agrivisor Offers Marketing Solutions For Growers

Lizzy Schultz September 6, 2016

Low corn and soybean prices are still placing pressure on growers across the nation, especially with the record yields expected to come out of this year’s harvest season. Cory Winstead, GROWMARK’s Division Manager for Grain Risk, spoke with AgWired during the 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium last week to discuss ways GROWMARK is helping farmers continue to manage risk and maximize profitability during challenging state of the economy.

“One of the things you really need to look at is putting a plan together, and having that plan put together early. Know where your breakeven is, know what’s profitable and what’s not, and then trying to put forth the tools that will get you there,” he said in an interview during the annual meeting.

Along with his work at GROWMARK, Winstead is a manager at Agrivisor, a joint venture between GROWMARK and the Illinois Farm Bureau, a full service agricultural advisory firm that provides growers with a unique, comprehensive set of risk management tools and marketing services that can help set them up for success.

“We offer marketing solutions, and our products can give you some more premium,” said Winstead. “They’re managed bushel products, so instead of trying to price grain on your own, we allow you to commit on a cash grain contract and select an analyst to price the grain for you over a time period.”

Learn more about AgriVisor in his full interview here:
Interview with Cory Winstead, GROWMARK/Agrivisor

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium Photo Album

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, GROWMARK

The Modern Global Foodie – Are You Marketing to Them?

Jamie Johansen September 6, 2016

Sopexa is the only international marketing agency that focuses entirely on the food and beverage community making their relationship with agriculture essential. Pauline Oudin, managing director, conducted the first ever study on the global foodie. She shared her findings during the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange and highlighted key elements to engaging the modern foodie around the world.

The multi-country foodie study focused on the preferences, behaviors of Millennials and younger food consumers in China, Japan, U.S. Germany, U.K. and France. They defined a foodie as someone who considers food a key hobby and who is socially active in discussing those subjects.

“The most interesting thing was the comparison of the foodie across the six major countries. We saw many differences,” said Oudin. “For example, in the U.S. they are older than we expected. They are older in Japan as well, which we could have expected. However, significantly younger in France.”

Oudin said they were also very surprised in the difference between social media use. Naturally, we assumed the foodie would be connected online and socially active. But they use different kinds of social media in different markets. “In the U.S. the foodie is into showing off. They want to be creative with food and get praise for that creativity. They show off their food rather than discussing issues or concerns. You will have more forum discussions in China, where it is more community based. As a marketer, you will want to target those different audiences with very different marketing approaches.”

Surprisingly, the study showed that U.S. foodies don’t eat out as often as we might have assumed. In fact, it reported that many only ate out two to three times a month. Oudin said one of the reasons for this is price sensitivity linked to quality. The modern foodie would rather have better less often then good frequently.

I honestly could have talked to Pauline for hours on this issue. But who would want to listen to all of that? However, you can catch my complete interview with Oudin where she expands on what type of information are foodies seeking, what sources are they trusting, where are they shopping, what do they want to see on the label and finally, where does she see this foodie trend going in the future.

Listen here: Interview with Pauline Oudin, Sopexa

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 US Soy Global Trade Exchange Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, Food, International, Marketing, Soybean, USSEC

#Soybean Grower Priorities

Cindy Zimmerman September 6, 2016

Passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is one of the top priorities for soybean growers and now they are hoping it will get passed by Congress, regardless of who is elected president in November.

“It’s unfortunate that this important landmark piece of trade has become politicized in the general election campaign,” said American Soybean Association (ASA) president Richard Wilkins of Delaware (right) during an interview at Farm Progress Show last week. “It’s a shame but we’re going to continue to keep our shoulders in the yoke and hope that we can convince the majority of the folks on the Hill that this is important to get done before the end of the year.”

ASA Vice President Ron Moore of Illinois says they are pleased with passage by Congress of the GMO disclosure bill and look forward to implementation. “It passed with an overwhelmingly majority in the House so that’s a big win,” said Moore. “But now the crucial part comes where we have to work with the USDA to make sure the regulations they write mirror the intentions of Congress.”

Wilkins and Moore also talk about what they would like to see in a new farm bill here: Interview with ASA Officers Richard Wilkins and Ron Moore

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

ASA, Audio, Farm Progress Show, Soybean

BASF Ready for Engenia Approval

Cindy Zimmerman September 6, 2016

All the pieces are in place for the most technologically advanced dicamba formulation to control broadleaf weeds in dicamba-tolerant crops – all that is needed is federal approval.

“Engenia herbicide is just getting ready to be coming out from registration,” said BASF Manager of Technical Marketing Dr. Gary Fellows during an interview at Farm Progress Show last week. “I can’t give an exact date but we’re hearing a lot of positive things out of the EPA and we expect it soon.”

BASF has been doing a lot of work with Engenia since the company first started talking about it in 2012 and much of that has focused on proper stewardship and use of the product. That includes everything from determining how Engenia works with other herbicides to the best ways to apply it. Fellows says the product will include very specific instructions. “It will say specifically these are the two nozzles that are allowed to be used,” he said. “It will tell you what exactly you can put in your tank with Engenia to avoid changing the droplet spectrum.”

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Dr. Gary Fellows, BASF

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Farm Progress Show

Latest Bayer offer to Monsanto

Chuck Zimmerman September 6, 2016

Here’s the latest update on the proposed Bayer acquisition of Monsanto with published statements from each.

From Bayer:

Bayer confirms advanced negotiations with Monsanto concerning a proposed transaction. While key terms and conditions have not yet been agreed, Bayer would be prepared to provide a transaction consideration of USD 127.50 per Monsanto share only in connection with a negotiated transaction. There can be no assurance that the parties will enter into an agreement.

The proposed transaction would be subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. The key conditions of a definitive transaction agreement must be approved by the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG.

For more information please visit: www.advancingtogether.com

From Monsanto:

Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) confirmed it has been engaged in constructive negotiations with Bayer AG, during which it has received an updated non-binding proposal for a potential acquisition of Monsanto for $127.50 per share in cash. Monsanto is continuing these conversations as it evaluates this proposal, as well as proposals from other parties and other strategic alternatives to enable its Board of Directors to determine if a transaction in the best interests of its shareowners can be realized.

Monsanto will have no further comment at this time. There is no assurance that any transaction will be entered into or consummated, or on what terms.

Agribusiness, Bayer

BASF Holds Global Press Conference – #ShapeAg16

Chuck Zimmerman September 6, 2016

In Ludwigshafen, Germany, BASF held a global press conference for journalists from all over the world. We started out at the BASF Conference Center before going to the BASF Agricultural Center in Limburgerhof for breakout sessions on IT-solutions (Maglis), a tour of the R&D Center and overview of Revysol, a new benchmark in disease control.

During the morning press conference we heard from Markus Heldt, President of BASF Crop Protection, who delved into some specifics on ways BASF is creating new products of different types like fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and more. “We are in a strong position to offer our customers solutions to meet their specific demands,” said Heldt. “Our portfolio, pipeline, ability to move fast and to understand farmers’ needs give us a solid competitive position. The agrochemical market is evolving and we are actively pursuing opportunities arising from ongoing merger efforts to increase our footprint and value offer.” At the event, the company highlighted its latest innovations for farmers and its strategy for future growth while also discussing the current transformations and challenges in agriculture.

You can listen to Markus’s speech here: Markus Heldt, BASF, Speech

BASF Global Press Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, BASF

Meet Arkansas Farmer & New USSEC Vice Chairman

Jamie Johansen September 5, 2016

Corn, soybean, rice and cotton farmer, Derek Haigwood, is the newly elected vice chairman for the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and calls Arkansas home. I met up with Derek during the 2016 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange to learn more about the organization and how he plans to serve.

Derek said he is honored to work hand-in-hand with USSEC Chairman and CEO developing strategy, longterm strategic plans and doing their best to serve the U.S. soybean grower. “USSEC was founded by the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the United Soybean Board (USB) because there was a need for an international marketing firm that would be in control of finding buyers for U.S. soy and taking U.S. soy producers and connecting them to each other.”

In our current market one of the most important things is that connection between buyer and seller. Looking into his service on the Board, Derek said, “We want to develop new relationships and focus on maintaining and enhancing the relationships we have right now.”

The number of relationships built and/or rekindled throughout this global trade event were seen around every corner. Derek said it does wonders to simply sit across the table with someone interested in U.S. soy, get to know each others needs and “make sure we are doing our part to expand the U.S. soybean chain.”

Listen to my complete interview with Derek here: Interview with Derek Haigwood, USSEC Vice Chairman

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 US Soy Global Trade Exchange Photos

Ag Groups, Audio, Exports, Soybean, USSEC

#FarmProgressShow Showcases Camso Ag Tracks

Kelly Marshall September 5, 2016

When you pick out a new piece of equipment you might think of a lot of things, but maybe how the tracks were made isn’t one of them. Eric Blondeau with Camso is saying maybe it should be. Camso designs tracks for many of the top equipment companies and his team takes their job very seriously.

Growers need tracks that are durable and dependable, but they don’t want to sacrifice the quality of their soil either. Camso has built a track, and a reputation, on providing both. They start with a unique process to build the tracks. None of the competition is doing anything even remotely similar.

“We always compare ourselves to what is out there, and when we do compare ourselves we see 30 to 40 percent cost per hour reduction for farmers. So really, they’re going to end up with a lot more money in their pockets in the end. How we do that? It’s through our unique process that involves making sure all the components we put in the tracks are going to stay exactly where they are supposed to.”

This year they’ve bested their toughest competitors. The new Roading track lasts 20 percent long on roads than the previous generation of Camso tracks. That’s a pretty significant increase. “The best just got better,” Camso representatives told me.

But it wouldn’t be the best without their careful attention to the impact in the field. Camso has their own team of agronomists testing for what you really want to know; will this make a difference? They study the effect of ground pressure, then the design team works carefully within those limits when they create the tracks. They even have a program, Profit from the Ground Up (PGU) that looks at the advantages of tracked systems. They estimate a track system can pay for itself in the first year.

Since every vehicle in the field makes a difference, Camso is also rolling out a new addition, the Camso Conversion Track System (CTS) for tractors. The CTS features increased mobility and flotation for better performance in soft ground conditions as well as reducing ground compaction and pressure by more than 65 percent. It represents the simplest conversion track system on the market.

Of course, Blondeau notes, its easy to make a claim, which is why the team at Farm Progress was inviting growers to bury a bucket with a hole in the bottom. Fill the bucket with water, then record the time it takes to soak into the soil. By repeating this experiment in an area of the field driven over with regular tires, untouched ground, and tracks you can get an idea of how water and nutrients are reaching the roots.

To learn more about Camso, listen to my interview with Blondeau here: Interview: Eric Blondeau, Camso

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Progress Show

ZimmCast with @NHAgriculture Chun Woytera

Chuck Zimmerman September 5, 2016

During the Farm Progress Show I got to spend time with Chun Woytera of New Holland. Like so many people I’ve worked with over the years with this company Chun just “gets it” when it comes to how important brand passion, team work and customer satisfaction are when conducting marketing campaigns. Chun’s comments should be required listening for agrimarketers of all levels!

Chun is relatively new to the position of Senior Director of Marketing for New Holland North America, but she has been with the company for nearly two decades in a variety of different capacities. She has brought a new perspective to the marketing segment of New Holland and is enjoying the challenge. It was great to be able to work with her at Farm Progress Show and get to know her a little better.

Learn more about Chun in this week’s program: ZimmCast with Chun Woytera, New Holland

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

The ZimmCast

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Audio, New Holland, ZimmCast

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