The 2009 Sunbelt Ag Expo is underway in Moultrie, GA. Executive Director, Chip Blalock, welcomed us media types at a breakfast and provided an overview of what to see at this year’s event. He’s on the left in the photo talking with ag media. Of course I’ve got a photo album started which you can find here: Sunbelt Ag Expo …
Ready For Sunbelt Ag Expo
It’s time for the 2009 Sunbelt Ag Expo and AgWired is on the scene. Or at least will be in the morning. I’ll try to get in early and see what kind of news there is to be had. Of course you can count on a photo album and lots of interviews. I’ve got a new video camera to try …
Facts About Pigs With H1N1
USDA has confirmed the presence of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in a pig sample collected at the Minnesota State Fair. The National Pork Producers Council notes, despite this development, pork is safe to eat and handle and that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses cannot be transmitted through food, including pork. Pigs, like people, …
Syngenta Seeds Developing Water Optimized Hybrids
Coming soon to a field near you from Syngenta Seeds – corn with water optimization traits. Syngenta is going beyond drought-resistant corn to introduce water optimization traits, which will reduce the amount of moisture needed to optimize yield and minimize yield loss in drought conditions, as well as reduce water use in average years. Business Lead Corn Product Manager Wayne …
Farming for Generations
Yes, Virginia, there really are family farmers in the United States. The National Corn Growers Association wants the public to know that family farmers not only exist, but are the critical factor that make the nation’s number one industry the world leaders in production of safe and wholesome products. Polling shows that many Americans no longer understand agriculture in their …
Larry Quinn Retired
Ever since Cindy and I have been in agricultural communications we’ve known and enjoyed working with Larry Quinn, USDA Office of Communications. Well, Larry just retired and while I was in Las Vegas attending BlogWorld and New Media Expo, Cindy got to talk to Larry. Larry says that when he first arrived at USDA he started working on a manual …
Zimfo Bytes
The Natural Resources Defense Council announced nominations for its 2nd annual Growing Green Awards. New this year is a “Water Steward” category. Applications are due Dec. 4, 2009, and a $10,000 prize will go to the winning green Food Producer. A group of some 50 produce industry leaders have come together to begin work on a major initiative to drive …
Social Media Cuts Out The Middle Man
This year’s BlogWorld and New Media Expo was one of the largest gatherings of people involved in new media ever. The founder of the event is Rick Calvert. He says feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. The last number I heard yesterday was 2,200 participants but that may have ended higher. That says a lot in a troubled economy …
Cattle Company Forces Change in Michael Pollan University Lecture
Finally, someone puts some pressure on Michael Pollan. He’s scheduled to speak at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in an unopposed keynote speech for college students geared on the topic of animal agriculture and food production. However, in a recent article in the Triple Pundit, sources revealed that David Wood, chairman of the Harris Ranch Beef Co., urged the university …
Consumers Trust Farmers, Still Hold High Expectations
Consumers still trust farmers; they just need their confidence restored in some aspects of the food system. Those were some of the conclusions from a “consumer trust” survey commissioned by the Center for Food Intregity. Highlights from the survey were presented last week at the 4th Annual 2009 Food System Summit in Kansas City. Geni Wren summed up the conclusions …