Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Roundup Ready 2 Yield one step closer to growers' fields


Soybean growers have been speaking out and wanting better soybean technology in their fields. Well, Monsanto thinks it has the answer with its second-generation soybean technology, Roundup Ready 2 Yield.

Today, Monsanto announced it received import regulatory approval from Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan. This is great news for the company and farmers because this means the new soybean technology is one step closer to growers fields. That also means growers are one step closer to having improved soybean yields (Monsanto says Roundup Ready 2 Yield has the yield potential for a 7-11% per bushel yield increase). Here's what Monsanto had to say:

Monsanto's Roundup Ready 2 Yield Soybeans Receive Key Approvals In Asian Countries
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today that it has received final regulatory approval in Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan for its second-generation soybean technology, Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ (MON 89788). These approvals represent significant progress toward the commercialization of this new higher-yielding soybean technology.

"Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are poised to deliver a new yield advantage to U.S. farmers and pave the way for the development of stacked-trait offerings in this oilseed crop," said Robert T. Fraley, Ph.D., chief technology officer and executive vice president of Monsanto Company. "Importantly, this new soybean product is expected to offer farmers a novel way to get more yield out of a single acre of land, a critical step as farmers work to meet the growing food and fuel demands of our world."


It looks like it's a whole new ballgame for soybean growers thanks to Monsanto!

Bloggin' about Podcastin'

Another portion of our Ag J capstone course will be dedicated to learning how to podcast. As a person who started broadcasting at age 16 and currently going through the broadcast sequence at MU, I am looking forward to this portion of the course. 1) I can help teach others and 2) I can learn even more about what goes into making a successful podcast.

One of my favorite podcasts is "This American Life." I like it becasue of the approach they take. It's very conversational and as a listner, I like to hear people talking to me, not at me.

As a broadcaster, I strive to do pieces that are more like this so I can connect more with our listeners. At Brownfield, my boss Cyndi always tried to get me to be more conversational. And believe, I try very hard to accomplish this. But I know still have a lot of work to do.

As a podcast, I think this does a great job of providing information in an entertaining way, as well.

So, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Monday, February 4, 2008

MO Soybean Assoc. wants more biodiesel on the road


My second reporting shift of the semester was on a new Biodiesel standard the Missouri Soybean Association (MSA) is pushing this legislative session. The standard would require all diesel fuel sold in the state of Missouri to contact five percent biodiesel (B5). In the legislation, the standard would only be in effect if biodiesel costs less that standard diesel.

I found out all Breaktime locations that have biodiesel are currently selling B5. But if passed, the standard would increase availability. Take a look at what MSA and one local grower have to say about the proposed standard.

Some of you may have heard the "Food versus Fuel" debate triggered by increased ethanol production. Well the soybean industry says that's not even an issue with biodiesel production. When a soybean is crushed to produce biodiesel, the soybean oil is used to make biodiesel and then the soybean meal that's left will be used to make livestock feed (mainly for poultry and pork). So, they say with increased biodiesel production, more feed for animals will be created. And since there's enough production to meet the new standard, the Soybean Association says it won't increase the cost of food, either.

I also need to give a "shout out" to my Broadcast 1 professor, Gary Grigsby. He went out and shot with me. So, my video is awesome thanks to Gary. He also provided great entertainment throughout the day. So, THANKS GARY!