BASF Invites Stakeholders to Discuss Food Future

Cindy Zimmerman March 10, 2015

As part of activities to mark 150 years, BASF hosted a two-day “Creator Space” jamming event in Washington, D.C. last week to discuss the future of food.

The event brought together more than 30 stakeholders from the entire food value chain including farmers, academics, food manufacturers and logistic companies to discuss long-term challenges and trends that may impact the food value chain in the years to come.

During the jamming session, participants brainstormed ideas on topics such as affordability and access to food, personalized nutrition, transparency for consumers and food waste.

All ideas were condensed into three future scenarios: Brazil without water, personal “food-print”, and meat as a luxury item. This approach opens up a new dimension in understanding the needs related to food. The scenarios will be further discussed and refined to help find lasting contributions to society.

The event was jointly hosted by BASF’s Nutrition and Health division, the Crop Protection division and the Bioscience Research division. As a next step, BASF will host a co-creation workshop in Chicago in June with the aim of turning the experts’ insights into new projects and initiatives to support the future of food.

Find out more about BASF Creator Space in the video below:

BASF, Farming, Food, Video

Schmacon Kickstarter Campaign

Chuck Zimmerman March 10, 2015

You’ve possible heard of Schmacon. After all AgWired brought it to your attention a while ago. This is an award winning product that I’d like to find in my local grocery store. Apparently there is a big fan base that has been started from Schmacon tastings and via social media. Now, Howard Bender, chef and inventor, is ready to get into retail distribution and needs help. So, he has started a Kickstarter campaign. Here’s part of his story:

A friend and I went out to breakfast one morning and passed on the regular bacon and opted for turkey bacon. When it got to our table it was hard and dry and really didn’t give us what we craved – the sizzle, the smoke and the sensation of “real” bacon. “There must be a better way,” we thought.

“Well,” I thought, “I’m a CIA-trained chef. Why can’t I solve the problem?” On that day, we began our three-plus-year quest, not just to create a bacon made of beef, because that already (awfully) existed, but to create great-tasting, whole-muscle, crispy, seasoned, smoky and satisfying strips of beef that could make folks happily pass over pork bacon. What we didn’t know at the time was that this new beef product would turn out to be amazingly delicious, healthier than ordinary bacon and a real game-changer.

Fast forward to now and a growing fan base that wants to find Schmacon in their grocery stores — like, yesterday. Through social media and sampling at a few beef events, bacon festivals, state fairs, and a couple of restaurants who got on board early, word has gotten out and our supporters want to know where they can get it and when they can start eating it.

Currently, we are selling to restaurants in a plain, brown 10-pound box. But when we move into groceries, our retail packaging must be more dynamic, informative and eye-catching packaging. Part of the funds will be used to create packaging that is consistent with the bacon department you see at grocery and club stores, yet stands out as different and as unique as Schmacon.

Make a pledge and help him out!

Beef, Beef Checkoff, Food

Farm Families Coalition Receives National Recognition

Jamie Johansen March 10, 2015

Marla Behrends, left, and Linda Olson were presented with the Meritorious Service in Communications award from the American Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers for the Illinois Farm Families Chicago Moms Program by Jerry Hicks, regional Council member for ASFMRA during the annual meeting of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Manager and Rural Appraisers in East Peoria.

Behrends, who is industry relations manager with the Midwest Dairy Association, and Olson, manager of communications for the Illinois Farm Bureau, accepted the award on behalf of the Chicago Moms Program. The program, which was launched in 2012, involves hosting Chicago-area mothers visiting Illinois farm families for on-farm experiences and inside looks at how food is grown, processed and delivered to grocery stores. During the tours they meet farmers and can ask questions related to growing food and about animal care, antibiotics, hormones, biotechnology and any other topics that interest them. Those ‘mom’s who make the visits then post blogs on their experiences at www.WatchUsGrow.org.

The program is underwritten by Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Beef Association. The award from ASFMRA acknowledges an individual, company, or association involved in the area of communications that has promoted understanding and goodwill between producers and consumers of agricultural products. The Illinois Society is largest of the 28 ASFMRA chapters around the country.

Ag Groups

“Rev It Up” My ROI Checkoff Challenge

Jamie Johansen March 10, 2015

The Beef Checkoff Program has a unique opportunity to encourage checkoff investors to share how they personally benefit from checkoff efforts, thanks to a generous donation from Yamaha of a three-passenger VikingT EPS 4×4 with specialized accessories and a total value of $21,728.07?

Starting March 16, beef and dairy producers can enter the “Rev It Up” My ROI Checkoff Challenge by visiting the MyBeefCheckoff Facebook page to share how the beef checkoff has impacted their operations. The Rev It Up contest will have two rounds: The first stretches eight weeks with responses to questions about how the Beef Checkoff Program has impacted their individual operations. Each week during Round 1, the checkoff will post a new question on the MyBeefCheckoff Facebook page. Participants are asked to simply answer the checkoff question in 250 words or less for a chance to be selected as one of eight finalists and win a weekly prize.

After all finalists have been chosen, Round 2 involves each of the winners from Round 1 producing a two- to three-minute video testimonial about a topic provided to them on May 13. All finalists will have the same amount of time — about a week — to create their video. Visitors to the Facebook page then will vote to select the grand prize winner.

The grand-prize winner will be announced Monday, June 8.

Ag Groups, Beef, Beef Checkoff

Bayer Issues Forum Shows Evolution of Innovation

John Davis March 10, 2015

Agribusinesses are reaching more and more into the innovation realm to help farmers stay at the top of production and meet the needs of a growing world population. Some have even characterized the process as an “evolution of innovation.”

“The ag companies, and in particular, Bayer, have been very good at innovation in the past, and we’re very good at product development,” Jeff Kneen, R&D New Ventures Manager for Bayer CropScience, told Chuck during an interview at the company’s 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix. “But the breadth and scope of innovation taking place today is beyond some of our core competencies. And we need to be know what’s going on out there, invest in them and have access to them in due course.”

Part of that process includes the indirect venture capital investments Bayer is making in the future of food production. Jeff said there are gaps in what Bayer knows that could be filled by some of these innovations, as well as some innovations adding to what the company knows. And Bayer is leaving no stone, including those in the digital realm, unturned, to make sure safe and affordable food is available.

“We don’t know everything that’s going on in agricultural innovation right now. We want to have a better understanding of that, because it will influence what we do in the future.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jeff here: Jeff Kneen, R&D New Ventures Manager for, Bayer CropScience

2015 Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Research

Smart Sensors & Cheap Connectivity Future of Ag

John Davis March 10, 2015

A combination of more, cheaper smart sensors and more connectivity could make the future of agriculture and food production pretty bright in this country. During the recent Bayer CropScience 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix, Michael Rogers, who is an author, journalist and futurist, spoke to those gathered at the event about some of these global trends driving food innovation. He told Chuck that he’s a big believer in the potential of combining a technology, such as Google Glass, with smart sensors that would be cheap and able to be scattered about a farm field.

“I’m a great believer in wearables,” he said. “[Those sensors] could be giving you literally a foot-by-foot presentation on exactly the soil conditions, which could be visualized through smart glasses, overlayed with the data.”

Going hand-in-hand with this wearable data gathering device is the idea of better connectivity in rural areas. Michael said by the year 2020, we’ll be amazed by how low cost and how widely available high-speed connectivity will be, thanks, in part, to the Federal Communications Commission’s ruling on net neutrality. He compared it to the projects in the 1930s that finally brought electricity to rural America.

“The federal government has decided broadband needs to be everywhere,” he said, adding that when you combine that with regulatory powers wanted by the FCC, we’ll see more competitors and, in turn, lower prices for quality, high-speed internet throughout farm country.

In the food sector, Michael said there are a lot of efficiencies that can be wrung out of the food distribution system that will give all those in the supply chain better information to reduce problems, such as spoilage. And he said that don’t be surprised when those parts of the world that might not be as technologically advanced now end up leap-frogging some of the more developed world in what he calls the “Biblical law of technology” where the last shall become first.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Michael here: Michael Rogers, author, journalist and futurist

2015 Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Internet

CTIC Announces New Board of Directors

Jamie Johansen March 9, 2015

The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) announced its new board of directors. Alan Ayers of Bayer CropScience will serve as chair. Lara Moody of The Fertilizer Institute is vice-chair, and Terry Tindall of the J.R. Simplot Company was named treasurer.

“It’s exciting to work with such a dedicated board to continue building CTIC as a preferred source of information on technologies that help keep farmers economically and environmentally sustainable,” says Ayers.

“The strength of this board comes from its members’ commitment to advocating for conservation agriculture, as well as their diversity,” he adds. “For more than 30 years, CTIC has brought together people from across the agriculture industry, academic institutions, environmental groups, media and government agencies to share information on productive, profitable conservation systems. This board will continue that proud legacy, building strong partnerships that help farmers and the environment.”

This year’s CTIC board of directors consists of:

Officers
Alan Ayers, Chair, Bayer CropScience
Lara Moody, Vice Chair, The Fertilizer Institute
Terry Tindall, Treasurer, J.R. Simplot Company
Pauley Bradley, Past Chair, John Deere

Ag Groups, Conservation, CTIC

John Deere Adds Sprayers to CPO Equipment Program

Jamie Johansen March 9, 2015

For producers and ag service providers looking to upgrade their sprayer equipment line-up, John Deere announces the Certified Pre-Owned Program (CPO) for self-propelled sprayers.

“Last May, we introduced the Certified Pre-Owned Program for 8 and 9 Series Tractors and late-model combines,” says Bill Weber, manager, used equipment optimization, John Deere. “This has been a very successful program for our customers and allows them to trade up to later model machines with newer technology and extended warranty.”

John Deere Self-Propelled Sprayers, up to two years old with 1000 engine hours or less, are eligible for the CPO Program. These include the following models, 4630, 4730, 4830, 4940, R4030, R4038, and R4045 Self-Propelled Sprayers.
These machines go through an extensive inspection program and fluid scan analysis. Customers will also receive a one year subscription to JDLink™.

“This is a great time for customers to consider purchasing a newer sprayer,” says Weber. “There has never been a better selection of equipment, backed by an industry leading protection plan, fully outfitted with the latest technology.”

Agribusiness, Equipment, John Deere

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes March 9, 2015

Archer Daniels Midland Company has announced several management appointments.
As Lely North America continues to enter new markets and experience rapid growth in the North American market, it is expanding the senior leadership team and the role of one of its tenured employees, Chad Huyser.
NAMA will be hosting a webinar on Email Marketing on Wednesday, March 25, at 1:00 pm central time.
The 133 delegates of the American Soybean Association voted to approve a new set of policy resolutions to guide the organization’s work in Washington and nationwide for the coming year.

Zimfo Bytes

Walker and Cruz at Iowa Ag Summit

Cindy Zimmerman March 9, 2015

Two potential presidential candidates who received a lot of media attention at the Iowa Ag Summit on Saturday were Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Cruz, who has introduced legislation to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), was honest about his views, even though he said the “easy thing to do” would be to tell the people of Iowa that he is “for the RFS, darn it.”

Cruz thinks immigration policy in the U.S. is “a mess” and thinks we need to get serious about securing borders. He “emphatically” supports Trade Promotion Authority and opening up markets, but not in Cuba, which he calls a “matter of national security.”

Listen to Sen. Cruz answer questions from summit organizer Bruce Rastetter. Iowa Ag Summit - Texas Sen. Ted Cruz

In his 20 minutes with Rastetter, Gov. Walker expressed similar attitudes on immigration, TPA and Cuba, but came out in favor of the RFS saying he was “willing to go forward on continuing” the RFS and “pressing EPA to make sure there’s certainty.”

Walker voiced support for crop insurance and said he was against GMO labeling for food because it “gives the false impression that somehow there’s something different.”

Listen to Walker address the issues here: Iowa Ag Summit - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker

Audio, politics

Page 820 of 2,395
←
1
...
819
820
821
...
2395
→