Alltech Honors Young Scientists At #ONEBigIdea

Lizzy Schultz

image The winners of 11th annual Alltech Young Scientist (AYS) Global Competition were announced during this years ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, and the eight competition finalists were all honored on stage during a special ceremony to help close out the event.

The contest attracted undergraduate and graduate agriscience students from 117 universities in 42 countries around the world. The eight selected finalists represented both their university and their country as they competed for the global titles and fully funded Ph.D/postdoctoral positions and cash prizes.

“Our goal with this program is to inspire and foster the future leaders of the agriscience world,” said Victoria Liu, the AYS Program Director. “This program is helping young scientists to continue their journey into their chosen area of study within the agriscience. We want to offer them mentorship and give them the ability to network with the agricultural leaders of the world. We want these young scientists to be able to share their research with them.”

Listen to Jamie’s full interview with Victoria here:
Interview with Victoria Liu, AYS Program Director

image The undergraduate winner was Alonna Danielle Wright, a rising senior at the University of Kentucky in the department of Agricultural Biotechnology. Her research works on a mutant form of the nudivirus, a virus targets the corn earworm, a pest that causes an estimated $2 billion in damage and cost of control each year, and the virus’ potential future as a pest control agent.

Wright was awarded full funding towards a Ph.D at the university of her choosing during the ceremony this week. Her future research include looking into viral vectors and epidemiology, with an special interest in the control of viral outbreaks such as swine flu and bird flu.

“The agricultural problems that you read about are constantly affecting people in small communities across the country, so I knew I from the start that I wanted to be involved in the agricultural industry and to help work in research to solve some of these problems for the future,” said Wright.

Listen to Lizzy’s full interview with Alonna here:
Interview with Alonna Wright, AYS Undergraduate Contest Winner

Ag Groups, Alltech, Audio, Research, University

Food and Ag Company Leaders Commit to Sustainability

Cindy Zimmerman

bipartisan-policyLeaders of food and agriculture companies joined the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) today to release a new call to action on improving sustainable production.

“Food for Thought: A Call to Action on the Future of Sustainable Agriculture” notes that food producers are making important strides on improving sustainable production, but should continue to step up their commitments.

Leaders of DuPont, Elanco, Hormel Foods, Kellogg Company, and Land O’ Lakes, joined former agriculture secretary Dan Glickman in releasing the report today, outlining what each member company is doing to engage with consumers, invest in a more sustainable food supply, and what needs to happen to improve sustainability all along the production chain.

“It is clear that we need to focus more resources on finding sustainable ways to increase food production and move individuals from hunger to adequate nutrition,” said Jim Collins, Executive Vice President at DuPont. “We are committed to initiatives that increase collaboration, such as BPC’s CEO Council on Sustainability, so we can work together to help ensure people around the world have enough food to eat for generations to come.”

“Food and agriculture are at the center of one of the greatest challenges of our time—providing enough wholesome, affordable food in a sustainable way to nourish our growing population,” said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco Animal Health. “We must work more collaboratively across the entire supply chain to enable innovative, science-based solutions that protect the health of people, animals and our planet.”

Watch the webcast here.

Agribusiness, Sustainability

The Big Ten for Truffle Media

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 513In this week’s program you can listen to Jamie Johansen talk with John Blue, Truffle Media Networks, about the growth of the company and what he sees for the future.

Truffle Media NetworksJohn says that Truffle Media Networks will turn ten years old in June. He is now the Chief of Community Creation for the company. You’ll have to listen to him explain that. John is a true AgNerd and has excelled at social media creation and management. He has helped the AgChat Foundation grow and prosper and is on the board.

If you see John out on the agriblogging highway ask him about his hobby (obsession) of taking creative, artsy and sometimes strange photos of a very tiny New Holland tractor.

Learn more about this unique digital ag media company in this week’s ZimmCast: ZimmCast with John Blue, Truffle Media Networks

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

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Media, ZimmCast

#ONEBigIdea That Changed The World

Lizzy Schultz

one-16-wozniak Steve Wozniak, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of Apple Computer, Inc., addressed a packed audience at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, where he was the recipient of The 2016 Alltech Humanitarian Award in recognition of his dedicated support for youth education programs, as well as his work behind the creation of the Apple technologies that have revolutionized the modern world.

The Humanitarian Award is given annually to someone of strong character, who uses their accomplishments to positively influence and inspire other people, and Wozniak has been involved in numerous business and philanthropic ventures that focus on encouraging creativity in young students through hands-on learning. His support has included the adoption of the Los Gatos School District, where he has donated state-of-the-art technology equipment to the schools, the founding of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Tech Museum of Innovation, the Silicon Valley Ballet, and the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.

Supporting education has been a priority for Steve Wozniak, the mastermind and engineer behind the Apple I and Apple II Computers, since childhood, and his resume includes eight years of service as a volunteer elementary school teacher.

“Just donating money to education wasn’t enough. It didn’t have enough heart. So I became a teacher for 8 years.” said Wozniak during his presentation. “Our computers are tools that can connect students to knowledge and information, they can help make kids interested in learning and keep them from dropping out, but they will never replace the wisdom of human teachers. We need human teachers in the equation.”

Wozniak also took time during the presentation to discuss the vision behind his creations, and what he believes the future holds for computers and technology. With Apple, his main goal was always to achieve something completely unexpected.

“I wanted to make a machine that could do what no other machine was able to do. In the early days we always used the word revolution; everybody in life kind of wants to be part of a revolution because it always leads to something better, supposedly.” He said. “And I wanted to be part of it, so I gave away my design of this computer. I would show it off. I believed in it.”

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Alltech, Education, Technology

The Farm Technologist – Just #ONEBigIdea

Jamie Johansen

one-alltech-16-457 copyThe future of farming was the center of discussion at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference and their is no future of farming if younger generations aren’t interested in it. Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer for Alltech, Dr. Karl Dawson, has taken on the challenge of making education exciting throughout animal agriculture, which he believes will be the driving force in training tomorrow’s ag leaders.

“I see this gap developing between technologies out there and what is actually happening on the farm today. We have to close that gap. To do that we have to create passion and ideas on innovation for young people. We have to capture their imaginations. One of the tools we are using a lot are hands-on experiences.”

Whether these experiences are on the farm or located within an agribusiness, Dr. Dawson believes this will play a vital role throughout our industry in the future. One program Alltech has developed is focused on career development. It hones in on those who have already finished degree programs and understand the technical side, but haven’t been exposed to the farm or other hands-on agribusiness experiences.

The image of the farmer has changed. Dr. Dawson has coined the term ‘farm technologist’ to replace the image of the traditional farmer who is utilizing technologies as they are developed. Listen to him explain and learn more about his ONE ideas in my complete interview here: Interview with Dr. Karl Dawson, Alltech

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Education, Technology

Monsanto Rejects Bayer AG Bid

Cindy Zimmerman

monsantoResponding to a $62 billion acquisition offer from Bayer AG, Monsanto Company has announced that its Board of Directors views the proposal as “incomplete and financially inadequate, but is open to continued and constructive conversations.”

In a company release, Monsanto chairman and CEO Hugh Grant gave a short statement.

“We believe in the substantial benefits an integrated strategy could provide to growers and broader society, and we have long respected Bayer’s business,” said Hugh Grant, Monsanto Chairman and CEO. “However, the current proposal significantly undervalues our company and also does not adequately address or provide reassurance for some of the potential financing and regulatory execution risks related to the acquisition.”

The release noted that there is no timeline for further discussions and no assurance that “any transaction will be entered into or consummated, or on what terms.”

Agribusiness, Bayer

Chandler Goule New CEO of NAWG

Chuck Zimmerman

Chandler GouleLet’s welcome Chandler Goule as the new CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. Chandler is currently Senior Vice President of Programs at the National Famers Union.

“NAWG is very pleased to have Chandler on board,” said NAWG President Gordon Stoner, a wheat grower from Outlook, Montana. “With our industry at a critical juncture, we know that with Chandler’s guidance, NAWG will be in a great position to advocate on behalf of all wheat farmers. We are delighted to have such a talented and experienced person lead our D.C. staff.”

In addition to his NAWG CEO responsibilities, Goule will also serve as the executive director of the National Wheat Foundation (NWF).
Originally from Texas, Goule holds degrees from Texas A&M and George Washington University, and served as a Subcommittee Staff Director for the House Agriculture Committee before moving to the National Farmers Union in 2009 as Vice President of Government Relations. He was appointed Senior Vice President of NFU Programs in 2014.

“The U.S. wheat industry is poised to reach new heights in both production and quality,” stated NAWG CEO-designate Goule. “I am thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to work alongside our national wheat grower leaders in positioning NAWG and NWF as pre-eminent wheat advocacy and educational organizations as we begin to develop strategy for making wheat a major player in the drafting of the next farm bill.”

Ag Groups, NAWG, Wheat

The Building Blocks to Better Beef Production

Lizzy Schultz

one-alltech-16-279-editedThis year at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, attendees had access to a variety of special sessions that highlighted some of the global opportunities currently breaking new ground in different sectors of agriculture production. Dan Dhuyvetter, Director of Marketing, Research and Development, and Nutrition Services for block supplement manufacturer Ridley Block Operations spoke during the special session on the beef industry, highlighting a number of ways that his company’s supplement blocks can be utilized as a tool to produce better beef.

Dhuyvetter highlighted some of the conventional uses of block supplements, which are primarily utilized in pasture systems for cow-calf operations, and also brought light to several new ways the products can be utilized to improve production and cow condition.

“The blocks can also be used to move cattle towards underutilized areas of pastures. What our research has found is that if you move the supplements into those underutilized areas, the cattle will seek those areas out, which can help the overall quality of the entire grazing system as well,” said Dhuyvetter in an interview after his talk during the conference.

Dhuyvetter stressed that the right supplementation can be an extremely cost effective way to help producers thrive in a volatile farming economy, and made sure to give some of the advice he provides customers looking into block supplementation on their operation.

“Producers really need to look at the primary factors that are currently limiting their production and then focus their supplementation efforts on those times of the year when its most important, the critical times when it’s paramount that nutrient requirements are being met and cow condition is being maintained.” he said. “We realize that forage is the largest contributor to a cow’s diet, and most producers have already made big investments in their forages and hay fields, so they want to ensure that providing just minimal supplementation to maximize the use of the forage is to their benefit, because it’s limiting how much they’re spending and putting out for additional resources.”

Listen to Jamie’s full interview with Dan here:
Interview with Dan Dhuyvetter, Ridley Block Operations

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, Beef, Forage

The Power of the One Ford Plan

Lizzy Schultz

one-alltech-16-243-edited Alan Mulally, former president and CEO of Ford Motor Company, addressed a packed audience in Rupp Arena at the opening session of ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, where he received the 2016 Alltech Medal of Excellence for his ability to build a strong team and create prosperity in a company during a time of economic crisis. With his team focused on the single objective of success, Mulally led the resurrection of Ford’s brand and directed the company’s transformation into the number one automobile brand in the United States.

Through his implementation of the One Ford plan, a compelling vision backed by a comprehensive strategy to deliver profitable growth to the company’s stakeholders, Mulally guided Ford’s survival through the 2008-1010 automobile crisis and led them back to the top.

“Most people believe that if GM and Chrysler had gone into freefall, it would have taken the U.S. into depression worse than 1929,” said Mulally. “Clearly, we needed to develop a better plan for Ford. We came together around Henry Ford’s original vision to open the highways to all mankind.”

Mulally’s new vision for the company redirected energies to a focus on one single goal, and his teamwork-based strategy was showcased in the plan’s slogan: One team, one plan, one goal. His vision centered on the principles of inclusivity and transparency, leadership traits Mulally believes are necessary for a company to find success in tough times.

“We began to succeed when our entire team became committed to turning our challenges into prosperity.” he said. “Inclusion is one of the most important traits a leader can possess, because working together always works.”

View and download photos from the event here:2016 ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Alltech, Marketing

Mary Hagan Joins NCGA

Chuck Zimmerman

Mary HaganWe welcome Mary Hagan who has been hired as the new Vice President of Communications for the National Corn Growers Association.

“Mary has over 20 years of experience developing and implementing complex communication strategies with high profile agriculture and consumer products companies,” said NCGA Chief Executive Officer Chris Novak. “She excels at collaboratively leading teams in creating communications that drive strategic priorities, moving the needle to positively influence both perceptions and actions. We’re excited to have her as a part of our team.”

Hagan most recently worked as a Managing Director of Osborn Barr, an agriculture-focused ad agency. While there, she was responsible for all communications, including advertising, media, digital marketing, public and media relations, for clients including Michelin, Merck Animal Health, Monsanto and others. Previously, Hagan was a Senior Vice President with the Leo Burnett ad agency in Chicago, where she had various roles in media and account service.

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA