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National Activities - USA
Ag Fiber Technology Showcase and Program |
Introduction
The 1999 Ag Fiber Technology Showcase meeting was held in Memphis Tennessee (USA) in August. NF-2000 was invited to attend and present information concerning relevant research activities being supported by the European Commission in the session concerning Government Role in Developing Ag-based products. The presentation, by Dr J Coombs, was illustrated using a computer-projector to access the NF-2000 website.
The meeting, the second in a series of what it is hoped will become an annual event, was attended by around 100 participants, mainly from the US and Canada, with many representing industry including those from small companies already selling agricultural fiber based products. The 1999 event became part of the new Ag Fiber Technology Program, based at Agricenter International (Tennessee), which has been established with the aim of providing one convenient location where the entire agricultural community from educators to researchers and manufacturers can share ideas, exhibit new products and demonstrate new technologies.
Ag Fiber Technology Showcase
The three-day event included presentation from around 30 speakers who addressed relevant aspects of agricultural research programs, growth trials and commercial production experience, processing capabilities, current and future industrial applications and environmental marketing opportunities. The Showcase also featured a wide range of products in an indoor exhibition area together with agricultural equipment and field tours of the 1,000 acre Agricenter research farm and facilities. The presentations included aspects of the following:
The exhibition included representation from companies as diverse in size and interest from Monsanto to local spinners, as well as representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture (especially cotton programmes) and State Agriculture. Other companies included equipment suppliers, as well as Biomass Agri-Products, Durafibre Inc (part of the Cargill Group, producing flax-based products in Canada), Flaxcraft Inc (Tenafly, NJ) and various University Departments (University of Southern Mississipi) and extension services (Tennessee State University). NF-2000 also had a stand.
Paper was a major interest, represented by the Peerless Printing Company (Memphis), who produced the programme, printed on various types of paper based on agricultural fibers. These included:
The field tours included a visit to field trials on kenaf production, the harvesting and handling of agricultural crop residues (corn stover) and demonstration of Ultra Narrow Row (UNR), an innovative new production technology that could potentially lead to higher yields, environmental benefits and lowered input costs. The Agricenter International Farm Ccnter, approximately 1,000-acres of farmland with research and show plots from most major agricultural product suppliers, was also shown with test plots featuring the latest soybean, cotton and corn varieties. In addition various cultivation practices and irrigation systems were on display.
The Ag Fiber Technology Program
The Ag Fiber Technology Program is an innovative public/private partnership based at Agricenter International, co-ordinated by Agro-Tech Communications. Participants in the program include the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and partners from agribusiness, industry and academia.
The aims of the program are to:
The program is seen as constantly evolving in a effort to bring industry and agriculture together in an exciting role - supplying the worlds raw materials and consumer products.
Agricenter International
This organisation, that has the motto Gateway to the 21st Century- Technology, Economy and Environment, was created in Memphis, Tennessee to provide one convenient location where the agricultural community can share ideas, exhibit new products and demonstrate new technologies. The $6.5 million main agri-complex is a state of the art facility housing office, exhibition and conference space of all sizes. It also has, located on the premises, a research farm utilizing 1000 acres of prime farmland for testing and demonstration, a farmers market, 1000 acres of State Natural Area, and private and public tenants. Activities range from farmer outreach to applied research, regarded as on the cutting edge of the development of the biobased economy for the 21st Century.
In February 1999, Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Company unveiled a new research center, located at the Agricenter consisting of a 16,500 square foot greenhouse facility attached to a 2,800 square foot support building utilizing components from all over the world. Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Company is the second largest breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seeds in the United States. Stoneville has been breeding cotton since 1922 and introduced the first genetically engineered cottonseed. Other biotechnology developments at Agricenter include; applied field research with new Bt varieties and the hosting of workshops and discussions on the topic for area farmers and agribusiness. Case Corporation, the worlds second largest farm equipment manufacturer, has a corporate training center on site. Helena Chemical Company conducts applied research at its laboratory on the farm and Ducks Unlimited has located its international headquarters on the property.
One of the long-term focuses for Agricenter International is the development of diversified, alternative crops, and new production techniques that increase yield and decrease cost. Over the years, Agricenter has worked with new canola (rape) varieties, low-input soybeans and other projects. In 1999, the organization has launched a vigorous program to look at alternative crops. Research currently being conducted includes kenaf agronomics, kenaf production and processing, development of corn residues as an industry feedstock and show-plots of UNR cotton and other new production techniques.
Agricenter International is also a world leader in the development and showcasing of precision farming technologies. Precision farming takes advantage of aerospace research and uses satellite imagery and direct feeds to provide guidance to farm equipment. This technology allows the farmer to regulate the exact amounts of inputs necessary by the square foot. The center hosts the only outdoor exhibition for Southern dealers, applicators and large acreage growers within the Applied Agricultural Technology Exhibition. This event features the Annual Site Specific Conference in conjunction with the main event. The term site-specific farming being used to describe technology based on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), that are going to revolutionize agriculture in the first part of the 21st century. Case Corporation, in a unique partnership works with the farm in providing the latest models of tractors, field implements and cotton pickers. In 1999, the center also began working with Crustbuster/Speedking Inc. in utilizing their conservation tillage seed drills. The Agricenter also works with other equipment manufacturers in industries ranging from cotton handling to input applications.
Agricenter International is involved in conservation work and in developing events bringing agriculture & environment interests together. In the spring of 1999 the Agricenter joined the Washington-based organization, Agriculture and the Environment - A Growing Partnership, which is a three-year initiative spearheaded by the Ag-Earth Partnership and the American agriculture community to highlight ongoing stewardship efforts that are helping America's farmers and ranchers contribute to clean water and air, healthy soil, improved wildlife habitat and open spaces, and a quality environment for all. The Agricenter's participation included live satellite feeds of the Washington proceedings, outreach to environmental clubs at local schools and the conduction of field tours concerning conservation in agriculture.
Sponsorship
The meeting was sponsored by the following organisations:
Further information
The meeting was organised by Agro-Tech Communications
Contacts
Organiser
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Updated
by CPL Press:
03/07/2007
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