Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen was on location at the site of President Obama’s speech this morning on energy initiatives for the United States and we were following him on Twitter. The event was held in a hanger at Andrews Air Force Base with the backdrop of a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet jet that will fly on biofuels on Earth Day.
According to the Navy:
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-23 will be testing the full envelope of the ‘Green Hornet’ with a drop in replacement biofuel made from the camelina plant in an effort to certify alternative fuels for naval aviation use.
The ‘Green Hornet’ flight is an important step in the certification and ultimate operational use of biofuels by the Navy and Marine Corps.
The president was expected to announce new energy policies that rely heavily on domestic production of traditional energy sources, including opening up new off-shore oil drilling. However, Dinneen says, “Relying on 20th century energy sources to address 21st century challenges will not solve the problem. America’s energy policy must be focused on renewable sources that have great potential for innovation and improvement. Renewable fuels, such as ethanol produced from a variety of feedstocks, hold great promise to reduce our need for imported oil, address climate change concerns, and create enduring economic opportunity. Oil and other fossil fuels are finite resources. While we cannot ignore their contributions, neither can we ignore the reality that reliance on them is simply unsustainable.”
Dupont has issued a “challenge grant” to the University of Illinois for improving communications effectiveness in agriculture. I think supplying some iPads to new ag comm students would be a good use of those funds! Of course they can also attend the AgWired School of Agricultural Communications too!
DuPont announced a $200,000 grant to a University of Illinois initiative between the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the College of Media designed to address the growing need for effective communications in the fast-changing world of agriculture, food, feed, fiber, bio-energy and rural development.
The grant, from DuPont businesses Pioneer Hi-Bred and Crop Protection, will be paid based on the university meeting milestones in its $2 million goal for the effort.
“Agriculture is undergoing incredible change at the same time dynamic new media is redefining the field of communications,” said Paul E. Schickler, president – Pioneer Hi-Bred. “Additional focus and understanding at the intersection of those two trends should bring incredible benefits to farmers and consumers and others throughout the value chain.”
The university plans to enhance its joint agricultural communications program with a first-of-its kind endowed chair in agricultural communications to support teaching and research in the field. The university plans to have at least three teaching positions and include initiatives in environmental and consumer communications.
“Agricultural production needs to nearly double by 2050,” said James C. Collins, president – DuPont Crop Protection. “Science from DuPont is part of the solution. We’ll also need collaboration and innovation across sectors to meet the challenge. And effective communications is vital to our ability to do that.”
“We are grateful for DuPont’s willingness to support this important initiative that will benefit the university’s students in agricultural communications for years to come,” said Robert Hauser, interim dean of the College of ACES.
When I found out that Alltech was marketing steaks I knew they would be good. This is a very good filet on my grill. If you’re looking for a good recipe then order some flat irons and give this a try:
Spicy Lemon Pesto Flat Iron Steaks
Ingredients:
4 beef shoulder top blade (flat iron) steaks (6 to 8 ounces each)
1/3 cup prepared basil pesto sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 large cloves garlic, minced
Salt
Freshly grated lemon peel (optional)
Directions:
1. Combine Spicy Lemon Pesto ingredients in small bowl. Set aside.
2. Press garlic evenly onto beef steaks. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 10 to 14 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning once. Season with salt, as desired.
3. Top steaks with pesto. Garnish with lemon peel, if desired.
Makes 4 servings.
Now for the all important nutritional information and this is very nutritional!
Nutrition Information: Nutrition information per serving: 349 calories; 20 g fat (6 g saturated fat; 4 g monounsaturated fat); 68 mg cholesterol; 250 mg sodium; 2 g carbohydrate; 0.6 g fiber; 38 g protein; 10.2 mg niacin; 0.8 mg vitamin B6; 2.0 mcg vitamin B12; 2.4 mg iron; 41.0 mcg selenium; 6.5 mg zinc.
BTW, I’ll be attending Alltech’s 26th International Animal Health and Nutrition Industry Symposium in May.
The head of the Humane Society of the United States says agriculture interests are just “paranoid” about the organization’s motives.
In an 18 minute interview with Brownfield Network’s Julie Harker about the proposed “puppy mill” ballot initiative in Missouri that would impose new regulations on dog breeders, HSUS president Wayne Pacelle refuted the idea that they were ultimately targeting the livestock industry. “I don’t see how supporting a measure to address dog breeders has anything to do with livestock agriculture,” Pacelle said. “It’s an irrational and paranoid response.”
While he says the dog breeding measure in Missouri has nothing to do with animal agriculture, Pacelle does admit they want to “improve the treatment of animals raised for food” in other states, like Ohio. “We make no apologies for urging humane treatment of animals raised for food,” he says.
Pacelle also called the agriculture industry paranoid in a story this week from the Kansas City Star. “They see (our) strength and they’re very paranoid about it,” said society president Wayne Pacelle. “But we remind them and others that we are seeking simply to curb the worst abuses in livestock.” The KC Star reporter repeatedly refers to HSUS as “the Humane Society” (best known for actually having animal shelters) and headlines the story “Humane Society’s compassion stirs conflict with agribusiness in Midwest.” The reporter correctly notes that the situation is “getting ugly” as Pacelle calls agriculture’s concerns a “bilge pump” of lies and defamations, and vows to push ahead “state by state, for laws against cruelty, from “puppy mills” to intensive confinement of animals in factory farms.”
It’s not paranoid if they really are out to get you.
The Africa Rice Center received two awards at the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Now that’s a mouthful. The conference is taking place in Montpellier, France. One of the awards was for communications, which caught my eye.
The 2009 CGIAR Outstanding Communication Award was presented to Dr Paul Van Mele, AfricaRice Program Leader on Learning and Innovation Systems, for the Rice Rural Learning Initiative based on farmer-to-farmer videos on improved rice production practices.
The videos, combined with mass media, have helped strengthen the capacities of over 600 farmer organizations across Africa, stimulated greater innovation than did conventional farmer training techniques and had tangible impact on the livelihood of rural women.
Here’s a video from the Africa Rice Center website:
We had a great mix of international attendees at the Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Conference in Miami. I spoke with two of them after being introduced by AGROTAIN Marketing Communications Manager, Carrie Doza, pictured in the middle. To the left is Dr. Surinder K. Bansal, Potash Research Institute of India and on the right is Daniel O. Claudino dos Santos (a regular AgWired reader!) from Brazil.
Dr. Bansal says that in the last three years he’s been doing work on stabilized nitrogen fertilizers for use in corn and wheat crops. He sees real potential for EEF’s with large acre crops. In India he says nitrogen use efficiency in India is very low. That creates a lot of loss which has a negative environmental impact as well as an economic one. He’s found that they can increase yield by 8-10 percent with stabilized nitrogen fertilizers and save nitrogen at the same time. He hopes to see his work become commercially available after more trial work and government approval.
You can listen to or download (mp3) my interview with Dr. Bansal here: eef-10-bansal.mp3
Daniel works for Fertilizantes Piratini, a large fertilizer company that distributes AGROTAIN products. He says that the acceptance of EEF’s in Brazil is “amazing.” He says that sales have been skyrocketing year to year since they introduced the products in 2004. The main crops they’re seeing the adoption of these fertilizers in are corn, sugarcane and irrigated rice.
You can listen to or download (mp3) my interview with Daniel here: eef-10-santos.mp3
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The Agricultural Relations Council’s new website is up and running so check it out. It’s a Ning site so you can create your own profile. Here’s mine.
The Agricultural Relations Council is the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries. ARC is a conduit for problem-solving, idea-sharing and collaboration among members, who share a passion for excellence in public relations.
If you’re a regular AgWired fan then consider ARC because you definitely fit the description.
- The board of governors of the United States Postal Service approved management’s request to move forward with a five-day delivery schedule, which would effectively eliminate delivery and collections on Saturdays. The next step is for the USPS to file a request for an advisory opinion with the Postal Regulatory Commission by March 30.
- To enhance their “closest to the farmer” reputation, Ag Leader Technology, Inc., officially launched social media efforts with the inaugural post to the new blog Precision Point. Not only can Ag Leader fans interact with the company on their blog, but also on various platforms including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
- Solae, LLC, has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2010.
- In six months, the world’s finest equine athletes will gallop into Kentucky’s Bluegrass region for the most prestigious, global equestrian championships — the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The Alltech FEI Games, will take place in Lexington, Ky., from Sept. 25- Oct. 10.
The next NAMA Webinar is tomorrow. Here’s the details:
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
1:00 p.m. (CENTRAL TIME)
Online Engagement
The purpose of social media implies that individuals and organizations interact in online environments. However, many organizations use social media to broadcast their messages and have not used social media tools to listen or interact. Because there is so much “noise” online, clients or potential clients ignore organizations’ bull-horn messages.
Anne Mims Adrian, Associate Director, Information Technology for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System & College of Agriculture, Auburn University, will discuss how to build relationships in online communities by engaging others and will compare online presence and engagement to traditional online publishing. She will also describe how expectations of online activities have changed in the last few years and will share a few suggestions of appropriate ways to interact online.
To register for the upcoming webinar visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=19
Here’s a new piece of gear to add to your MOJO. Roland has just introduced the new R-05.
The compact R-05 is easy to use, affordable, and packed with big-ticket features that raise the bar in its price class. Experience crystal-clear 24/96 capture, enhanced recording and editing features, and extended battery life (over 16 hours per charge). On stage, in rehearsal, at school, on the street, in the boardroom — whenever inspiration strikes, let the R-05 capture the moment with convenience and quality.
* High-quality stereo recording (24-bit / 96kHz) with the built-in stereo mic or external input
* Records directly to SD card with extended battery life (over 30 hours continuous playback, over 16 hours continuous recording)
* Strong, attractive metallic exterior
* Onboard editing functions; built-in reverb
* Music-practice features (change tempo without changing pitch, loop playback, etc.)
* Auto record start, auto song split, auto level adjust
* Pre Record function (captures 2 seconds of audio that precedes pressing REC)
* Use as a high-quality portable audio player (plays WAV and MP3 files)
* Windscreen and tripod mount included
- Jared Wattenbarger of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was seated as a Board Member on the United States Potato Board at the organization’s 38th Annual Meeting, March 9-12.
- The Baghdad International Agriculture Fair is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions and leading tradeshows in Iraq. The event will showcase latest products and equipments for agriculture industry, May 4-7, 2010 at the Baghdad International Fairground.
- Corn & Soybean Digest has launched an interactive Corn Weed Control Guide.
- Donny DeLine, a farmer from Charleston, Mo., was named the 2010 Top Producer of the Year.
The Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists has announced their Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting Awards. Yours truly was happy to be one of the judges for this first ever award program. You can see the entries on their website.
If Sarina Locke thanks her Mum when she accepts the inaugural Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting today, it will be for more than conventional reasons.
The Canberra-based ABC journalist took out the new award with an impressive radio documentary based around a visit to West Timor where she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Dr Russ Locke.
A veterinarian from Holbrook in southern NSW, Dr Locke worked in West Timor 15 years ago, helping village women to vaccinate their chickens as part of an AusAid project to develop veterinary services in the Eastern Islands.
Sarina visited her at the time, and decided to return last year with financial assistance from the Crawford Fund and Australia’s Centre for International Agricultural Research, to find out whether the $40 million Australia spent on agricultural aid in Indonesia in 2009 was helping to lift farming families out of deep poverty.
Sarina was presented with a $1000 cheque by award sponsor Rabobank at a gathering of the Farm Writers Association of NSW in Sydney. She also received a certificate as winner of the radio category in the award, which was organised by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ).
Adelaide-based ABC Television journalist Kerry Staight won the television category with her piece, ‘All in the Family’, broadcast on ABC Landline on February 11, 2009.
Ian Doyle from Doyle Media Services, also based in Adelaide, was given an encouragement award in the category for online video, for a piece broadcast via the S. Kidman and Co website.
(more…)
One of the sponsors of our Precision Pays.com website is Ag Leader Technology. They have just started their own blog!
To enhance their “closest to the farmer” reputation, Ag Leader Technology, Inc., a leader in the development of precision farming solutions, officially launched social media efforts today with the inaugural post to the new blog Precision Point. Not only can Ag Leader fans interact with the company on their blog, but also on various platforms including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
“The reality is social media is the way people are communicating today. These platforms allow us not only to inform and educate, but to have a conversation with those interested in precision farming technology,” says Dave King, Marketing Manager. “We can connect with Ag Leader customers around the globe, but also others in the ag industry as well as those who know nothing about precision agriculture.”
Precision Point, found at www.agleader.com/blog, will offer readers a wide variety of topics and precision ag information. The company will share insights into popular questions on getting started in precision technology, trends in the industry as well as international precision ag use.
In this week’s program we’ll learn about the International Fertilizer Industry Association. IFA, along with New Ag International, conducted the first International Conference on Enhanced-Efficiency Fertilizers to be held in the U.S. this past week in Miami. I was there courtesy of AGROTAIN.
The Director, Agriculture Service, for IFA is Patrick Heffer who welcomed us to the conference at the start. I’m always looking for an excuse to get back to my home state and I told him that they can hold the conference there any time.
In my interview with Patrick we talk about IFA, the world market for EEF’s and the conference. He was very happy with the attendance.
The International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) is a not-for-profit organization representing the global fertilizer industry. Our members serve farmers everywhere as they meet the world’s growing food, feed, fibre and bioenergy needs in a sustainable manner.
IFA has some 525 members in about 85 countries. About half of the membership is based in developing countries. IFA member companies represent all activities related to the production, trade, transport and distribution of every type of fertilizer, their raw materials and intermediates. IFA’s membership also includes organizations involved in construction, engineering, consulting, agronomic research and training.
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- Evogene Ltd. and Biogemma SAS announced the signing of a licensing agreement for the development and commercialization by Biogemma of hybrid corn lines, displaying improved yield and drought tolerance.
- The California Walnut Board’s commitment to nutrition education continues through a new partnership with HealthCorps.
- John Deere announces results of recently completed Nebraska Tractor Test Lab (NTTL) evaluations of its 8320R Tractor: the 320 rated engine horsepower John Deere 8320R provides greater fuel efficiency and higher PTO and drawbar horsepower ratings when compared to similar sized competitive tractor models.
- The United States Potato Board grower membership elected new leadership during its Annual Meeting March 9-12. Click here for the full list.
HarvestMaster is bringing new research software to the field for agricultural research
HarvestMaster is pleased to announce two exciting releases for the Field Research Software (FRS) suite.
FRS NoteTaking and Harvest – new version 2.1 released
The new release of FRS NoteTaking and Harvest is now available to users. FRS can be used to collect electronic field notes for field plot observations, flowering and maturity notes, and on-combine measurements from the HarvestMaster Plot Harvest Data Systems. FRS is a Windows Mobile application for the Allegro Field PC.
“We are pleased to release a new version of FRS. This new release incorporates many recommendations from agriculture researchers. It is faster, easier to use, and more reliable than earlier versions,” said Keith Hunt, Agriculture Product Manager. “Release 2.1 of FRS has undergone unprecedented validation and testing making it rock solid and field ready for our customers.”
FRS for Laptop – new for 2010
FRS for Laptop is a brand new offering in the FRS suite for 2010. It brings the FRS Note Taking and Harvest functionality to a full screen PC based computer running Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. For the first time, agriculture researchers can use a laptop or other PC device mounted in the combine with the industry leading HarvestMaster HM800 Plot Harvest Data Systems.
In addition to all the features found in FRS NoteTaking and Harvest, FRS for Laptop features a full screen display showing both spatial and tabular data views during the data collection process.
I admit to being a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Not a fanatic but a fan. Albert Pujols has been one of my favorite players in recent history and I’m glad to see him wearing the mustache.
They may represent completely different sports, but when it comes to the health and fitness of America’s youth, these athletes play on the same team. Today, MVP baseball slugger Albert Pujols joins fellow Milk Mustache athletes, NBA All-Star and Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams and gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson, as part of the Milk Mustache “Dream Team” to inspire teens to “Drink Milk for a Change.” They know that drinking milk can help make a difference – for their bodies and now through a special community service opportunity in their world.
Lowfat milk has nine essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D for strong bones and protein for lean muscle. Studies suggest being active, eating right and drinking three glasses of fat free or lowfat milk each day may help maintain a healthy weight.
Pujols ad, which reads, “Want muscle? got milk?” reinforces the importance of milk’s high quality protein. Along with regular exercise, protein can help build and maintain lean muscle – essential for athletes like Pujols to perform their best on the field.
“For me, I drink lowfat chocolate milk after a long day on the field,” said Pujols, who was on hand to unveil his new ad at the St. Louis Cardinals spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla. “It’s a natural source of protein plus it has carbs so it helps me rebuild and refuel my tired muscles after being active. It’s an important part of my recovery routine to get ready for the next nine innings, season after season.”
Enhanced turf nutrition was the subject of a presentation by Elizabeth Guertal, Auburn University, at the Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Conference.
Elizabeth says EEF’s are very important to the turf business for two reasons that include economic and environmental. She says that she’s done some work in this area that found that the controlled release sources had much less nitrogen loss to the atmosphere as compared to urea which is the source most prone to loss.
You can listen to my interview with Elizabeth below.
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UFPA will launch UnitedFresh.TV with a live broadcast from their Las Vegas Convention. They’ll have daily on-demand video covering their educational sessions. I’m loving how the use of live web streaming and on-demand video is gaining momentum in ag communications!
The United Fresh Produce Association will launch a new online media website, www.UnitedFresh.TV, with the first live interactive webcast targeted to produce marketers and retailers from the floor of its annual convention.
The one-hour live internet broadcast will feature a discussion with winners of the United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program, sponsored for the past six years by Ready Pac Foods, Inc. The streaming video session will air live at 1:00 p.m. PDT in Las Vegas (4:00 p.m. EDT), Thursday, April 22. The broadcast will allow for live questions from internet viewers worldwide, in addition to United Fresh convention attendees on the trade show floor. (more…)
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In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
