AgriCharts launches publication on grain

CHICAGO, Ill. — AgriCharts, the agricultural division of Barchart.com, Inc., which provides market data, website hosting and technology solutions to agribusinesses, announced the launch of GrainProfessional, a monthly print publication for grain merchandisers, procurement managers and other buyers of grain.

GrainProfessional features topics that are important to grain buyers, hedgers and basis traders. It has assembled an industry leading group of contributors and will feature articles on grain market analysis, weather’s impact on agriculture, market research and merchandising strategy and interviews with grain merchandisers.

Syngenta joins Sustainability Consortium

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Syngenta announced it has become a founding member of the Sustainability Consortium, an independent group of diverse stakeholders working to advance consumer product sustainability through science-based platforms.

The global effort is focused on all phases of a product’s life cycle and engages scientists from leading academic, governmental, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and business sectors. The consortium is administered by the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University.

The Sustainability Consortium is developing life cycle metric systems which will allow science-based assessments of agricultural production. Data will provide consumers with useful information on the food and food products they purchase, while enabling continual improvement for farmers and other businesses seeking production efficiencies, natural resource efficiencies and waste reduction.
As a founding member of the consortium, Syngenta’s participation includes serving on the organization’s steering committee. The Sustainability Consortium advocates for a scientifically grounded process and transparent system, not for individuals or organizations. For more information, go to www.sustainabilityconsortium.org

CFC takes home NAMA honor

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Corn Farmers Coalition, a Washington-focused public affairs campaign by corn growers that launched in 2009, has earned first-place honors in a national competition and will be exploring new messaging frontiers in 2010 as it seeks to plant kernels of truth about corn in the hallways and meeting rooms of Capitol Hill.

Recently, the coalition took first place nationwide in the National Agri-Marketing Assoc. 2009 Best of NAMA awards, under the category of Public Affairs/Issues Management. At the same time, coalition leaders were in Washington for a round of planning meetings and focus group sessions to talk about messages and tactics for a 2010 campaign, planned to launch later this spring.

Electric technology leaders form eVia

ELGIN, Ill. — eVia is a joint effort of Stratum Technologies of Cleveland, Ohio, and Swift Development of West Lafayette, Ind.
eVia is developing a high energy-density system consisting of a liquid direct proton fuel cell and a long life, high energy, polymer phosphate lithium ion battery. The combined system is being specifically designed for use in the transportation industry. eVia’s goal is to produce a practical power alternative for the vehicle industry.

The fuel cell acts as a range extender for the polymer lithium ion battery, continually recharging the battery using common liquid fuel and oxidant. The eVia system offers several critical advantages over traditional hydrogen fuel cell designs, including: liquid-liquid closed loop system, minimal use of noble metals, renewable or regenerative fuels, infrastructure already in place for easy refueling and low operating temperatures and pressures.

Illinois distributor supplies Jamie’s Kitchen
ROSEMONT, Ill. — U.S. Foodservice, the food distributor featured on ABC’s hit series “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” in April, is donating a year’s worth of food and cleaning supplies to Jamie’s Kitchen, where Huntington, W.Va., residents learn about healthy eating and how to cook healthy meals.

All of “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” episodes can be viewed online at http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution
This effort is one of many U.S. Foodservice donations across the country. In 2009, it gave more than six million pounds of food, representing approximately 1.8 million meals, to the affiliate food banks of Feeding America. For more information about U.S. Foodservice, visit www.usfoodservice.com

Illinois grocer adopts Web technology
SAVANNA, Ill. — Grocery Shopping Network (GSN) announced the addition of Illinois grocer Sullivan’s Foods to its technology and advertising network. Located in Savanna, the 13-store group has served area communities for more than 40 years.

Sullivan’s also joins the Grocery Shopping Network’s advertising network, which brings manufacturer offers directly to consumers and offers a new revenue stream for the company. The solution is fully customizable for chains with limited IT staff, to chains that have extensive IT and CRM management.

Not only will this upgrade enhance communications, it will also help shoppers find the best deals ahead of their shopping trips to Sullivan’s. Sale items come standard with recipe suggestions and home cooking videos, allowing the at-home chef or busy on-the-go family to plan trips and events while finding the right foods that meet their dietary needs.

BASF announces registration of Charter F2
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Charter F2 fungicide seed treatment, one of the many innovations from BASF, received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Charter F2 controls many of the most common disease threats in grains, including Fusarium seed rot and seedling blight, damping-off, wheat common bunt and wheat and barley loose smut. It also provides suppression of Rhizoctonia root rot, common root rot and dry seed decay.

Companies support Farm Safety 4 Just Kids
URBANDALE, Iowa — Deere and Co. (collectively called John Deere) made a platinum donation of between $50,000-$99,999 to Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK).

Other ag-related businesses have also recently donated to the organization. These include Farm Credit’s $35,000 to update and translate farm safety chemical curriculum materials; Land O’Lakes as a Silver sponsor, donating between $10,000-$24,999; GROWMARK, Inc.’s donation of between $5,000-$9,999 to be used to strengthen and expand the organization’s chapter network of volunteers; Underwriters Laboratories with a gold level donation of between $25,000-$49,999; Monsanto Co. making a platinum level donation of between $50,000-$99,999; Archer Daniels Midland Co.’s donation to strengthen and expand FS4JK’s chapter network; and the Nationwide Insurance Foundation’s platinum donation of between $50,000-$99,999.

FS4JK was created in 1987 by Marilyn Adams after the death of her 11-year-old son. The organization works to raise awareness about the health and safety hazards that are an inherent part of the rural environment in which children live, work and play. More than 130 chapters in the United States and Canada conduct safety and health programs within their communities.