Monthly Archives: June 2005

New President For Cofina Financial

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Cofina FinancialBrian Legried has accepted the position of president for Cofina Financial, LLC. Legried comes to Cofina Financial from Farm Credit Leasing where his most recent role was a senior vice president of sales and marketing.

“Brian’s commitment to agricultural business and his extensive finance and banking background makes him a natural choice to lead Cofina Financial,” says Tom Larson, Cofina Financial board chairman and executive vice president CHS Business Solutions.

Brian LegriedCofina Financial is the recent formation, limited liability company (LLC), with CHS Inc. and Cenex Finance Association. Beginning operations July 1, the company is based at the CHS headquarters in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Cofina Financial will provide financial solutions to accelerate the success of agricultural producers, cooperatives and commercial businesses. With its combined resources, commitment and deep knowledge of agriculture, cooperative and producer financing, Cofina Financial is solidly positioned for the future with strong financial products and services offerings and experienced staff.

For more information contact Lani Jordan.

Agritourism Is The Topic On This Week’s ZimmCast

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ZimmCastAgritourism has become a valuable additional way for many farms to make more money. In this week’s ZimmCast I interview Jane Eckert, Eckert Agrimarketing, about her business. Jane is a professional direct marketing consultant with a passion for agritourism. I think you’ll enjoy hearing what she’s got to say.

You can listen to the interview here Download MP3 File

You can also subscribe to our weekly podcast (ZimmCast) using the file in our sidebar.

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Announcing The World Dairy Expo Blog

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2005 World Dairy ExpoZimmComm is teaming up with the World Dairy Expo to publish the first ever World Dairy Expo blog! The Expo will be held October 4-8. Between now and then we’ll begin publishing news and information about the activities that you can expect to see. Then during the Expo we’ll be onsite to provide pictures, interviews and news as it happens each day.

There’s lots of information on the World Dairy Expo website if you haven’t visited it yet. It’s not too early to be making your plans if you wish to attend. However, even if you can’t you can always log onto the blog! We’ll also post information about the Expo right here on AgWired too.

Please feel free to visit and offer your thoughts and opinions as we blaze new trails in the web world. If you like what you see think about having ZimmComm team up with you for your event too!

USA RAISED BEEF Because COOL Not Cool

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CCMP LogoHere’s something new to me. Just got this information on a press conference on the new coalition. I really don’t have any more information than this so we’ll see what comes out of their press conference. If they have any websites for CCMP or the USA RAISED BEEF program I haven’t found any yet. The closest I can find it this.


D E T A I L S : Stakeholder organizations in CCMP have developed a national initiative to promote USA RAISED BEEF. This press
conference will mark the national unveiling of the USA RAISED BEEF logo and publicity campaign. It will underscore the fact that the USDA grade stamp of approval does not guarantee consumers are purchasing USA RAISED BEEF. Retailers participating in the USA RAISED BEEF initiative will be present to discuss how the program is being used in their retail
outlets to educate consumers and enhance demand for USA RAISED BEEF.

USA RAISED BEEFA B O U T C C M P : The Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP) is a voluntary producer contribution program
developed by producers to support fair, open and competitive markets; realistic international trade policies; mandatory country of origin labeling and promotion of USA RAISED BEEF.

B A C K G R O U N D : The Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP) will launch nationally its USA RAISED BEEF “Ask
For It” campaign on June 28, 2005 at 12:30 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The event will showcase the new
promotional initiative for domestically grown beef and how the logo is already being displayed in retail stores, livestock auction markets and ranches throughout the Midwest and West.

For More Information:
Chase Carter, OCM Executive Director, 402.817.4443

Carrie Longwood, SDSGA Executive Director, 605.342.0429

John Lockie, MCA Executive Director, 406.628.2230

Chris Abbott, ICON President, 308.282.2826

Danni Beer, R-CALF USA COOL, Committee Chair, 605.524.3383

Positive BSE Test

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USDABy now I’m sure everyone and their brother has heard about the USDA announcement on the BSE test. You can read the full transcript of remarks at the USDA press conference here.

This has certainly generated the need for organizations to respond so we’ll have more after we evaluate the information we receive.

Florida Gulf Coast Sunset

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Keeton Beach SunsetThis is why you need a client in Florida when you live in the midwest. After yesterday’s blogging seminar we re-located to an undisclosed west coast of Florida location to spend the night. We got there just in time for the sunset! My picture doesn’t do it justice but at least I thought to take one.

Today’s going to be a “day off” for the most part but then it’ll be time to get back into the action for AgWired.

NAIS Would Boost Consumer Confidence

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Global Animal ManagementThe folks at Global Animal Management have done a consumer survey to find out what the move to a national animal id system will mean to confidence in food safety. That’s the topic of their latest talking news release.

CONSUMER POLL: FOOD SAFETY CONFIDENCE WILL IMPROVE
WITH MANDATORY NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

KENILWORTH, N.J. June 24, 2005 – A recent poll shows that consumers will become even more confident in the safety and security of the nation’s meat and poultry supply if a mandatory National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is implemented. Under the national animal ID system, authorities would be able to quickly locate specific animals to prevent the spread of livestock diseases, such as mad cow disease. The consumer survey was sponsored by Global Animal Management Inc., a leading provider of animal and premise identification systems.
The poll of one thousand U.S. consumers was conducted in mid-May. It shows that consumers already have considerable confidence in the nation’s meat and poultry supply with more than thirty-seven percent saying their current meat safety confidence is high and only ten percent rating their confidence as low.

Jim Heinle (Hine-lee), president of Global Animal Management, says that the survey shows that consumer cofidence would increase significantly with the implementation of a national animal identification system. Nearly 55 percent of those polled said their confidence would then be high, and those who said their confidence will remain low declined to less than 4 percent. (Full Release)

For more information contact Julie Lux, (908) 298-4774.

Learn To Spell Foods With FOODSPELL

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Association of Food JournalistsI don’t think I qualify for membership but I like food and I like to write. These people make a living at it! They’ve got a great resource too called “FOODSPELL.” It’s a guide to spelling those difficult food words like “Szechuan,” which can be spelled several different way. You can order it from their website. They’ve also got an annual conference coming up in San Francisco in September.

The Association of Food Journalists, Inc., is a networking system especially created for journalists who devote most of their working time to planning and writing food copy for news media worldwide.

AFJ’s primary goal is to encourage communication among food journalists. In addition, AFJ tries to increase members’ knowledge of food and to sharpen their writing, design and broadcast skills. The group also strives to foster professional standards among its members and other members of the media.

BEGINNINGS

AFJ was formed in 1974 as the Newspaper Food Editors and Writers Association, Inc. At that time, many food editors voiced a desire for a professional association that addressed the common needs and goals of food journalists. The organization grew quickly.

The group changed its name to the Association of Food Journalists, Inc., in 1994 to better reflect its diverse membership.

Today, AFJ has more than 275 members from the United States and Canada as well as other countries. There are members from most metropolitan and smaller daily newspapers, magazines, broadcast companies and online services in the United States and Canada. In addition, free-lance food writers, cookbook authors and syndicated columnists are also members.

Blog Training In Florida

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Southeast AgNetTomorrow I’ll be conducting a day long seminar in my home state! Gary Cooper, Southeast AgNet/Citrus Industry Magazine and his staff will be learning about blogging/podcasting/RSS and more. This is going to be fun.

If you’ve been thinking about this whole “blogging” thing I think it’s time to call in a pro-blogger that understands your industry. Hmmm. Who would that be?

The interest in using these communications tools is heating up in the ag world. Keep an eye on AgWired as we continue to develop and help others to do so.

R-Calf USA Team To Central America

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R-Calf USAThis is going to be a toasty trip. I’d take along some sunscreen! I’m betting they won’t find a steak as good as you’ll find here in the midwest.

R-CALF USA to Send Fact-Finding Team to Central America

(Billings, Mont.) – R-CALF USA International Trade Committee Co-Chairs Dennis McDonald and Brett DeBruycker announced today that a four member fact-finding team will be dispatched to Central America on June 24, 2005, to research and analyze the support for, and impact of, the U.S.-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) amongst Central American nations.

The team is charged with four primary goals: 1) obtain what level of support exists for CAFTA-DR amongst the populace and grassroots producers of Central America; 2) research true production numbers for agricultural products in those nations, with a special emphasis on beef production; 3) discover the actual potential for expansion in beef production; and, 4) gain overall insight into food safety conditions in processing plants.

The fact-finding team will depart for Central America on June 24 and is currently scheduled to visit Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras. Meetings and tours will include meat-processing facilities, ranching operations, cattlemen’s groups, embassy and trade officials, and the team is scheduled to appear at a cattle show in Liberia, Costa Rica. The team will return to the United States on July 2. A national tele-news conference is being scheduled following the conclusion of their trip.

For more information contact Shae Dodson.

Neogen VP Appointed To USDA Advisory Committee

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NeogenI think the biotech companies have some very cool looking logos. Perhaps this company should be called a micro-biotech company.

Neogen’s Madden named USDA advisor

LANSING, Mich., June 21, 2005 – Neogen Corporation’s Vice President of Scientific Affairs Dr. Joseph Madden was among 30 scientific experts recently appointed by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods.

Since 1988, this advisory committee has provided scientific advice on public health issues relative to the safety and wholesomeness of the U.S. food supply. The committee also assists in the development of microbiological criteria, and reviews and evaluates epidemiological and risk assessment data as well as methodologies for assessing microbiological hazards.

“The casual observer of media hyperbole might draw the conclusion that our food supply is more at risk than ever before. Quite the opposite is true,” said James Herbert, Neogen’s president. “Thanks to the efforts of many, including this National Advisory Committee, we’ve made great strides in making our food supply the safest it has ever been. Secretary Johanns’ appointments to this committee represent the best thinking on food safety from regulatory, industry, and academia.”

The 30 have been chosen to serve for two-year terms, and represent disciplines related to health and food safety issues. In addition to Neogen, appointees also include food safety experts from McDonald’s Corporation, Wal-Mart, Hershey Foods, and numerous governmental agencies and research institutes.

For more information contact Rod Poland, Director of Corporate Communications, 517/372-9200.

Re-charge Those Youngsters

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Pfizer Animal HealthI was out shopping today and I saw some of the kids this organization must be targeting. Parents, don’t buy them a car. Get them a bike so they get some exercise on the way to the mall!

Pfizer Animal Health Contributes to Action For Healthy Kids
Nonprofit group dedicated to improving nutrition and physical activity of America’s youth

NEW YORK (June 21, 2005) – Action For Healthy Kids (AFHK) is taking aim at the poor nutrition and exercise habits of America’s youth. AFHK is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving nutrition and physical activity in America’s schools through a variety of educational programs. The organization recently received a major show of support in the form of a $75,000 contribution from Pfizer Animal Health that will be used to support a healthy nutrition component of its new after school program, “Re-Charge!”

“We’re grateful to Pfizer for this generous support of our mission and the “Re-Charge!” program,” said AFHK Executive Director Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, MS, RD. “Contributions are critical to the success of our programs and we are excited about continuing to build relationships within the dairy industry.”

For more informaton contact Kenna Rathai.

Scout Those Pesky Aphids

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Pioneer Hi-BredThis timely alert just came out from Pioneer Hi-Bred. You can visit their website to find an agronomist in your area if you need help.

Growers Cautioned to Begin Scouting for Soybean Aphids

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Soybean aphids have been spotted in Iowa, Minnesota and New York. Although it is too early to spray, growers need to begin scouting. Pioneer agronomists are scouting daily for soybean aphids and other pests. For a report on the situation in your area, contact your local Pioneer agronomist.

EXCEPTION: With slower soybean growth in many parts of Iowa scouting will need to begin in early July.

More Beef For Show Me State Seniors

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MBIC LogoThe Show-Me State Senior Games are being held this week in Columbia, and one of the sponsors of the event is the Missouri Beef Industry Council. In this week’s MBIC Report Cindy Zimmerman talks with Teri Jo Oetting (Ett-ing) about why the beef council sponsors this event and the importance of beef in the diet of older adults. Missouri State Senior GamesThis will be the last report from Teri Jo as she is moving on to take a new job in St. Louis after serving as MBIC Director of Nutrition Education for four years.

You can listen to the MBIC Report here Download MP3 File

You can also subscribe to the podcast version of this program using the link in our sidebar or pasting http://www.zimmcomm.biz/mbic/mbic-report.xml into your news aggregator program subscription box.

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Look, It’s The Food Safety Mobile

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USDA Food Safety MobileThis picture really doesn’t do the vehicle justice. It looks like something a 1960′s dude would have loved. You’ve gotta like all the color.

BEEP, BEEP … The USDA Food Safety Mobile is Coming to Minneapolis

The Food Safety Mobile is coming to your town! The USDA Food Safety Mobile is 35-feet long and serves as a “rolling billboard” for food safety and as an attention-getting backdrop for educational exhibits and events. With its bold, eye-catching designs, the Mobile appeals to adults and children alike. Come out and see the Mobile June 23-25 in Minneapolis at the 96th Annual American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Conference and Expo.

For more information contact Amanda Eamich, 202-720-9113, or Robyn Sadagursky, 301-504-0214.

GoEfuel Summer Roadtrip Blog

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GOeFuel BoyzThanks to Tom Biro at AdJabs for the heads up on this. First I heard about it. Here’s a creative use of blogging! Hello, are you listening? He says that Fargo-based Sundog created the on and offline campaign. Very cool looking to me.

GoE Launches its “Summer Road Trip”
GoE Guys hit the highway to raise awareness and encourage ethanol use

Bismarck, N.D. (June 8, 2005) — GoE, North Dakota’s own brand of ethanol-blended fuel, is launching the “GoE Summer Road Trip” in an effort to raise awareness and encourage all North Dakotans to use ethanol-blended fuels in their cars, boats, lawn mowers and anything else that runs on gasoline. The “GoE Guys,” three gregarious college students in a white car, decked-out in GoE decor, are taking the Road Trip across North Dakota on three separate weekends in June, July and August. They will be searching for fun, funky and unusual events and sites found only in North Dakota. Along the way, they will be committing “Random Acts of Ethanol” – stopping at local petroleum retailers and buying lucky drivers a tank full of GoE fuel. Their antics and adventures will be chronicled in an online Web log (blog) and through posted photos on the GoE Web site: www.GoEfuel.com. In addition to the Random Acts of Ethanol, the GoE Guys will encourage all North Dakotans with a valid driver’s license to register to win a year’s supply of GoE either in person or online. “The GoE Summer Road Trip is an unexpected and fun way to help raise awareness about ethanol’s benefits for the economy and the environment,” says Kim Christianson, program manager of the State Energy Office. “The GoE Guys are hitting the highways of North Dakota to help remind people to make ethanol their fuel of choice as they enjoy the summer driving season.”

For more information contact Kim Christianson, North Dakota Department of Commerce, 701-328-4137.

DNA IP Changing Hands

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Applied DNA SciencesThis sounds like some very interesting work. Their release describes the DNA technology they use like this. “Botanical DNA technology is a leading brand protection and anti- counterfeiting solution since it is based on authentication of the encoded DNA in a product through forensic analysis. Applied DNA Sciences technology protects products and brands, deters counterfeit and grey market activity and safeguards corporate investment and market share. Microscopic covert DNA markers can be integrated into products and packaging, in inks, paper, coatings, adhesives, thread, textiles, polymers, liquids, holograms and microchips.” Although I wanted to become a forest ranger once the science was too much for me. I can only imagine what it takes to become a botanical DNA technologist!

Applied DNA Sciences Closes on DNA IP From Biowell

LOS ANGELES, June 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: APDN) , a security solutions company whose DNA technology detects and deters counterfeiting, fraud, product diversion, and protects the corporate supply chain, today announced that on June 14th, 2005 at a General Meeting of the Shareholders of Biowell Technologies Inc., the Shareholders unanimously voted to accept the terms and conditions of the sale of the Intellectual Property to Applied DNA Sciences. This vote consummates several months of negotiations and provides global control of the technology to APDN.

APDN will establish a laboratory in the US to produce the DNA security products. The ability to produce the products in the US and to provide them as a US-owned technology opens the door for APDN to conduct business with US Federal Agencies, a primary business focus for the company.

Biowell now becomes an exclusive Licensee for Asia and certain other territories, thereby generating a royalty stream for APDN. The IP has been verified by independent laboratories and leading molecular biologists and patent attorneys.

Peter Brocklesby, president of APDN stated, “We have completed a major milestone in the reorganization of our company and the transfer of control of the technology to the US. Our efforts can now be fully focused on executing our business plan to commercialize the DNA technology for the burgeoning global security market.”

For more information contact Adrian Butash.