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Farm Journal article highlights BASF Plant Science and NutriDense

March 30th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

In a new article from its Early Spring 2010 issue titled “New Kind of Chemistry,” Farm Journal talked with our parent company BASF on advances in agricultural technology and its 28 new products and nine new actives slated for release by 2013.

The article underscores BASF’s commitment to new trait technologies such as NutriDense:

Unlike its agrochemical competitors, BASF is not a seed company, nor does it intend to become one, says Rick Van Genderen, director of value chain management for BASF Plant Science. “Our strategy is to be a trait and technology partner with seed companies that need our products,” he says.

BASF Plant Science is collaborating with Monsanto Company to develop drought, yield and stress-tolerant traits in corn, cotton, soybeans and canola. The first drought-tolerant product has been submitted for regulatory review and is expected to debut in 2012.

Several seed companies have joined hands to access BASF Plant Science’s NutriDense technology—stacked output traits designed to enhance animal feed performance. Traits that increase rice yield by up to 50% are targeted for 2012, and dicamba-tolerant soybeans are expected by 2014.

Farm Journal also included an interesting “Web Extra” component: Watch below as Paul Rea, director of U.S. crop protection for BASF, describes his company’s pipeline of new products.

New Web site connects growers using video technology

March 30th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

The Agriculture Reports Network is a new Web site that houses videos from farmers around the country and around the world:

Agriculture Reports Network offers a unique twist, the video reports come to you directly from the field, our viewers can SEE and HEAR both video and commentary from the grower. We are also utilizing video clips for equipment sales, giving the buyer an opportunity to also SEE and HEAR the sale item in operation.

Growers like Dustin Spears in Polo, Ind., don’t just talk about their experiences over the last few months in their fields – they show them on video, from their perspectives and using their own voices:

We’re excited to follow these videos, because no one can describe the hard work that goes into farming better than growers themselves.

Podcast: Checking in with Heather Goode, NutriDense communications manager

March 25th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

Last week, we introduced you to our new communications manager Heather Goode. I was excited to sit down with her and talk about her first few weeks on the job.

Heather graduated from the University of Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, and comes to us with experience in the crop chemical and swine industries. Click on the link below to hear firsthand about her background in ag communication, and what she’s excited about for 2010 and beyond.

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Have a question for Heather? Reach out to her at heather.goode@basf.com.

BASF Plant Science L.P. Announces New NutriDense Program Manager

March 23rd, 2010 by Karlie Justus

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, March 23, 2010 – BASF Plant Science L.P. today announced Nick Weihs has joined the company as a NutriDense program manager. In this position, he will play a critical role in developing and managing the NutriDense Grain market in Iowa, eastern Nebraska and southern Minnesota.

“Nick brings a wealth of swine production knowledge and relationship-building expertise to our NutriDense team,” said Kyle McMillan, NutriDense sales manager. “He has a passion for animal agriculture and for helping producers increase their profitability.”

Weihs joins BASF Plant Science with extensive experience managing all aspects of hog production, including feed supply, budget management and customer relations. Prior to joining the NutriDense team, he served as a manager for AMVC Management Services and a career agent at Farm Bureau Financial Services. Weihs graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Animal Science.

NutriDense is a nutritionally enhanced corn that contains a stacked set of output traits designed to enhance animal feed performance. Seed companies market the product through licensing agreements.

For swine and poultry producers, corn hybrids containing NutriDense Grain traits elevate ration energy content without adding fat, increase essential amino acid content and improve phosphorus availability. At the same time, NutriDense Grain reduces the amount of soybean meal in the ration, which increases digestibility. NutriDense Grain provides better animal nutrition that leads to greater profitability for producers. To learn more about NutriDense, visit www.nutridense.com or follow on Twitter at Twitter.com/NutriDense.

About BASF Plant Science

BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, about 700 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. BASF Plant Science has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops, nutritionally enhanced corn for animal feed and higher content of Omega-3’s in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please visit www.basf.com/plantscience.

About BASF

BASF – The Chemical Company.
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

NutriDense is a registered trademark of BASF Plant Science L.P.

Heads up: Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference kicks off Wednesday

March 22nd, 2010 by Karlie Justus

Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference

On Wednesday, March 24, the Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference begins in Timonium, Maryland. The two-day event will focus on poultry, dairy and equine nutrition. Nutritionists from local, national and international venues will share research information and its effects on feed.

Ways to Say Thanks: Dairy Farming Today ePostcards

March 19th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

In celebration of National Ag Week, we’re featuring some “Ways to Say Thanks” to farmers across the country:

E-mail, snail mail…moo mail? Sending a cow through the mail may not be the easiest way to say you care, but Dairy Farming Today makes it easier for milk and cheese enthusiasts to share the love.

The Web site, which also has a Learn More tab chock full of farmer interviews, myths and facts, frequently asked questions, a section on dairy technology and even a dairy dictionary, has a variety of ePostcards ready for you to personalize and send.

Dairy Farming Today - Send an ePostCard

From congratulatory cartoon cows to dairy farmers at work, the cards are a fun way to send a quick note while learning about the men and women that support our nation’s dairy industry.

For more online resources, follow Dairy Farming Today on Facebook and YouTube.

On the ground: Video and photos from the Gator handoff

March 17th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

Yesterday we announced that in addition his 1,600 cows, Mercersburg, Pa. dairy farmer Rick Hissong now cares for a brand new Gator.

Heather Goode and our forage specialist Rich Lutz were on hand for the exchange, and snapped a few photos of Rick and his brother Rod accepting the utility vehicle, supplied by Smith Implements in Mercersburg. We were glad to see that Rick, general manager of the family-owned and operated Mercer Vu Farms, was pretty excited.

Check out the Flickr slide show and video footage of the handoff below:

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Congrats Rick!

Ways to Say Thanks: #Thankafarmer

March 17th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

In celebration of National Ag Week, we’re featuring some “Ways to Say Thanks” to farmers across the country:

The ag community on Twitter is really strong. (New to the service? Progressive Dairyman has a great how-to tool on its site.) The site, which spreads information 140 characters at a time, has searchable keywords known as hashtags that help make information on Twitter sharable and searchable.

Share the Ag Week love by adding #thankafarmer to your tweets this week to show your support. And while you’re there, check out @NutriDense for more ag news.

Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer wins NutriDense Silage Contest

March 16th, 2010 by Karlie Justus
NutriDense Silage Gator Giveaway contest winners Rick Hissong, right, and his brother Rod with their new John Deere Gator.

NutriDense Silage Gator Giveaway contest winner Rick Hissong, right, and his brother Rod with their new John Deere Gator.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, March 16, 2010 – BASF Plant Science is pleased to announce the winner of its recent Gator Giveaway Contest. Dairy farmer Rick Hissong of Mercersburg, Pa. won a 2010 John Deere Gator™ HPX 4×4 Utility Vehicle in a sweepstakes sponsored by NutriDense Silage.

Hissong is the operations manager of family-owned and operated Mercer Vu Farms, a 1,600-cow dairy. Hissong joined his family business as co-owner and operations manager in 1993 after graduating from Penn State with a degree in Agricultural Mechanization. His grandfather Glenn started Mercer Vu Farm in 1949 with seven cows, and now Hissong, his father Ron and brother Rod produce more than 15,400 gallons of milk each day with the help of 26 full-time employees.

“I was so surprised when I received the call from Rich Lutz, a NutriDense forage specialist,” said Hissong. “I’m glad that I went online and entered this contest – the Gator will be a great help around my dairy operation.”

The contest lasted from November to December 2009. Eligible participants received an invitation in the mail and went to the NutriDense Web site to enter.

NutriDense is a nutritionally enhanced corn that contains a stacked set of output traits designed to enhance animal feed performance. Seed companies market the product through licensing agreements.

NutriDense silage hybrids can increase silage tonnage, milk production and per acre profitability for dairy producers. NutriDense silage hybrids can deliver high yields and help producers maintain milk levels while reducing input costs. To learn more about NutriDense, visit www.nutridense.com or follow on Twitter @NutriDense.

About BASF Plant Science

BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, about 700 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. BASF Plant Science has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops, nutritionally-enhanced corn for animal feed and higher content of Omega-3’s in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please visit www.basf.com/plantscience.

About BASF

BASF – The Chemical Company.
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

NutriDense is a registered trademark of BASF Plant Science L.P. John Deere and Gator are trademarks of Deere & Company.

BASF Plant Science L.P. Announces New NutriDense Communications Manager

March 15th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

Heather Goode

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, March 15, 2010 – BASF Plant Science L.P. today announced Heather Goode has joined the company as the NutriDense marketing communications manager. In this position, she will support the NutriDense sales and marketing team through the development of marketing communication plans and tools that align with NutriDense business strategies and objectives.

“Heather has worked on many agricultural accounts in an agency setting and is well-suited to lead our NutriDense marketing communications efforts,” said Fran Castle, BASF North American group communications manager. “We are excited to have her on board, and we are confident that she will be a strong addition to our BASF Plant Science company and NutriDense.”

Goode has eight years experience in agricultural communications. Prior to joining BASF Plant Science, she was a client service advisor at Quarry Integrated Communications Inc. in Durham, N.C., where she worked on the swine business for Novartis Animal Health. Goode began her career on the crop chemical side, working on the Syngenta Crop Protection horticulture business at Gibbs & Soell, Inc. in Raleigh, N.C.

Goode graduated from the University of Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Performing Arts.

NutriDense® is a nutritionally enhanced corn that contains a stacked set of output traits designed to enhance animal feed performance. Seed companies market the product through licensing agreements.

NutriDense silage hybrids can increase silage tonnage, milk production and per acre profitability for dairy producers. NutriDense silage hybrids can deliver high yields and increase milk production by up to 2.9 lbs./head/day.

For swine producers, hybrids containing NutriDense can improve profits by up to $4 per marketed hog by reducing feed costs and or improving feed efficiency. NutriDense is also higher in protein and all essential amino acids than many conventional corn hybrids.

To learn more about NutriDense, visit www.nutridense.com or follow on Twitter @NutriDense.

About BASF Plant Science

BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, about 700 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. BASF Plant Science has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops, nutritionally-enhanced corn for animal feed and higher content of Omega-3’s in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please visit www.basf.com/plantscience.

About BASF

BASF – The Chemical Company.
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

NutriDense is a registered trademark of BASF Plant Science L.P.