I like David Martosko’s HumaneWatch HSUS 50 percent pledge.
Here’s the Pledge in a nutshell: As soon as Wayne Pacelle commits to doing the right thing, I’m outta here.
You read that right. Hear me now, and believe me later, as Hans und Franz used to say. If the CEO of the Humane Society of the United States will make a commitment to start sending just 50 percent of HSUS’s income to hands-on U.S. pet shelters, HumaneWatch will disappear for good.
We’ll pull the plug. Yank the life-line. Cease and desist. Become an ex-blog.
That’s the challenge. That’s my pledge. And it’s non-negotiable.
It’s sad that something like this is even an idea but what can you do when you’ve got a scam going like HSUS does? They were discussed at the Alltech Symposium this week. That’s about 1,600 people from all over the world who understand that HSUS is not what it would like its supporters to think it is.
Just calmly, quietly, go support your local animal shelter and don’t give to these wackos. Put your money to good use for the good of animals.
John Deere Harvester Works recently rolled the half millionth self-propelled combine , a 9870 model, off the assembly line at the East Moline, Ill. manufacturing facility.
Winfield Solutions, LLC, recently named twenty 2010 recipients for the organization’s Careers in Agriculture Scholarship program.
Amye Hughes, a recent Indiana University graduate, joins Farm Journal Media’s Database Strategies Division as Account Representative for Farmail.
Due to high demand for additional display space for equipment, World Dairy Expo has expanded its Outdoor Trade Mall for 2010 with an additional 19,000 square feet of prime booth space being added to the east side of the Exhibition Hall.
Anyone interested in hay and forage production will want to be in Strawberry Point, Iowa, June 16 and 17 for the Hay Expo.
Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) and the Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) at Kansas State University have collaborated to produce the Animal Care Training Web site, offering training video, testing and certification in specific areas of livestock handling.
Myran Krueger joins Land O’Lakes business unit Winfield Solutions as Marketing Manager-West Coast.
After a few days of telling the story of the Alltech Symposium, which I have not finished doing btw, I thought it would be a good time to offer you Cindy’s Top Ten Reasons to have ZimmComm cover your next event:
We’ve pioneered online event coverage. Some call it live blogging an event. We like to think of it as “telling a story, your story.” Since we started our unique brand of on-location multimedia content creation we’ve taken the approach that we’re there to convey the sights and sounds as we see them to an online audience that’s interested to know what’s going on. We’re award winning journalists. We’re award winning public relations specialists. We know new media and social networking. It’s a great combination. Learn more about our online event coverage services and schedule us in.
So here we go:
10. We “Tweet” u right – in so many ways. We have multiple established Twitter accounts with thousands of followers on several different topics and can help tweet your event to tweeps all over.
9. Flickr Photos up in a Flash – get your photos uploaded and out for media to use and everyone to see faster.
8. Google Loves Us – Search engines pick up posts from ZimmComm blogs fast and furious, both news and web searches.
7. We Flip for YouTube – short, web quality video clips give your event a YouTube presence.
6. Audio on Demand –interviews with key presenters and speeches can be available on-line to listen or download.
5. First Class Photography – we take high-res photos of everything so you don’t have to.
4. Targeted Exposure – We can post on your blog and one or more of our own – with audiences that include agribusiness, renewable energy, dairy, and precision farming. We can even design and build a blog for your specific event.
3. Event Blogging Trail Blazers – ZimmComm was one of the first pioneers of event blogging, starting with the National Biodiesel Conference in February 2006.
2. Multi-tasking is our Middle Name – We often do audio, video, photos, tweets, blogging and more at the same time – while chewing gum and balancing a book on our heads. Ok, we made the last part up.
1. Historical Preservation – Your event is archived for history on the web and we provide a digital copy of all photos, video and audio sent to you for the sake of posterity after the event.
This is my favorite photo from the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. I think I’ll call it “Dr. Lyons.” You can actually see both Doctors, Mark and Pearse. I took the photo when Dr. Pearse Lyons was introducing his son, Dr. Mark Lyons during our final general session. A picture of Mark was projected on the screen. You can click on the photo to see a larger version and it’s also in my photo album.
I think the picture tells a story as pictures so often do. At the beginning of the Symposium Pearse was introduced by Mark (a first) and at the end of the Symposium Mark was introduced by Pearse. These are two very compelling speakers and I would have to say that Alltech has a very solid succession strategy in progress.
I was afraid I wouldn’t get to speak with Dr. Pearse Lyons before leaving today but fortunately I did catch up to him and have a Symposium wrap-up interview for you. All I can say is, “Wow.” Actually, I’ll let Pearse say it in the interview and more than once!
This year’s Symposium was by all measures a success. It was one of the largest in terms of attendance with a huge international component. It is a big boon to the city of Lexington. Dr. Lyons says, “if we all come together, if we are a team and if we realize that no one person can make a team, but a person can be a crucial part of a team, we can go anywhere.”
I mentioned my photo and asked him about the future of Alltech. He says he’s been fortunate to have been able to live the American dream but he says there’s something very special to be able to say to 2,300 employees, “you’re in good hands.” You’ll be able to hear the pride in his voice when he talks about his son.
Of course the interview does not end without a plug for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Put them on your radar because the whole world will be watching Lexington, KY this fall.
Dr. Everett McCorvey, UK, led a song which is included in the audio I’ve posted below. It was an inspirational way to conclude!
If you didn’t get to see this morning’s sessions I’ll be doing some posts on the presentations and you can watch a recording of the live stream on the Alltech website. You can also scan back through the Symposium Tweets using the #AlltechSymposium hashtag.
I have much more to post in coming days but am getting ready to hit the road with a stop in St. Louis for some meetings tomorrow.
I finally had a chance to get some participant interviews done yesterday afternoon and will be posting them during the next several days. I hope you’ve been enjoying the coverage here. I continue to be amazed by the organization and quality of this conference. The staff at Alltech work at a frantic pace to make sure everything happens on time and that the facilities and overall experience for the participants is excellent.
I’ll be heading over to the general session room from this great media room momentarily and finish out the morning there. So stay tuned and enjoy a video look at yesterday’s afternoon sessions.
The Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium brings in participants and customers from all over the world. I met several of them during a reception yesterday. They represent companies that have partnered with Alltech for the upcoming World Equestrian Games. I’ll feature interviews with them over the next several days. So let’s get started with the Netherlands.
Eric Heemskerk, Heemskerk, says his company is based in the Netherlands but also works in Belgium and Germany. They have both equine and dairy products. Eric says business in his country has been very strong.
Heemskerk is a partnering company with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and Eric sees the event as a great opportunity. He calls the opportunity one of team building since his company works very closely with Alltech and together they hope to make the Games very successful. His goal is to build that team spirit between his customers, his staff and the Alltech representatives he works with.
This evening participants in the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium broke up into discussion dinners with various topics. I attended the dairy dinner.
Other topics included:
* Food Fight: Do consumer perceptions affect the future of commercial agriculture?
* The Urban-Rural Divide: Farmers need to learn how to communicate with the media (pictured)
* Greening planet: Regulatory considerations for animal agriculture
* Contaminants in feed: How can feed & food companies address this challenge?
* Mycotoxins from the 2009 Crops: Realities & solutions
* Train your people and risk they leave or not train them and risk they stay?
* Poultry profitability: Do benchmarking systems help or hinder?
* New standards for pig nutritionists: 35 pigs per sow, 2.2 FCR
* Will milk be the ‘new oil’ again? Perspectives for a return to profitability
* Beefing up demand and profitability: What goes into a successful beef program?
* The equine genome: What does it mean for you and your horse business?
* Aquaculture: Is the future so bright?
* Profits from pets: The next frontiers of knowledge.
The 1st Annual NAFB Lake Girls Retreat was held this past weekend at the lovely home of the incomparable Sara Wyant and Al Johnson of Agri-Pulse.
Some of you may remember that a group of gals who are NAFB old-timers got together and bought the weekend at Al and Sara’s up for bid at the NAFB Foundation auction last fall. That included myself, Cyndi Young and Anita Vanderwert (both with Brownfield), Cindy Cunningham (Pork Board), Sally Behringer (Nicholson-Kovac), Janet Adkinson (KMZU-Carrollton, Mo.), and Robin Loftin (Southeast Agnet).
Unfortunately, Cindy C and Robin were unable to make it at the last minute, but we invited Meghan Grebner with WIRL in Peoria to join us and we all had a fabulous time — even without any sunshine. The weather was crappy, but the company was wonderful.
Sara and Al were very gracious hosts and showed us a great time at the Lake. We were able to take the boat out on Saturday and have lunch at Shorty Pants, a drink in Paradise and dinner at The Fish. It was all quite marvelous and only the weather could have been better.
There are more photos posted on Facebook pages of those who were there. We’d love to do it again, if Sara and Al put it up for NAFB auction again, but there are lots of others who have already said they want to go with us next year (girls only! Sorry guys… although Al would like some company). Sally says, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat!”
Thanks Al and Sara for a wonderful weekend and for your support of the NAFB Foundation!
Cool, wet weather slowed down corn and soybean planting last week, but didn’t stop it.
USDA reports that 38 percent of the soybean crop is now planted and 87 percent of the corn – which is way ahead of last year in both cases and a comfortable amount above normal. Both crops are emerging ahead of normal – corn at 55 percent and soybeans. The rain especially put the brakes on planting in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri and there are concerns that a little replanting may be necessary in some areas that got a little flooding or have standing water.
This photo was taken in a field right next to the Missouri River where it flows past Jefferson City. The river was expected to crest higher than it did over the weekend, which spared this field all but a few rows on the edges.
The third Great Debate is underway at the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. This panel answers questions posed by a moderator and these guys don’t hold anything back. This year they’re talking about “People, Profits and Planet: Views from around the world.”
Pictured are (l-r) Trent Loos, Loos Tales, Nebraska, USA, Osler Desouzart, Managing Director, OD Consulting Planning and Strategy, Brazil, Gordon Butland, Director, G&S Agriconsultants.Co. Ltd., Patrick Wall, Associate Professor of Public Health, University College Dublin, Ireland
I’m going to share some selected comments from them when I have time later. We’ve got a reception following immediately and then multiple dinners organized by animal species preference. The photo album is up to date.
The Alltech Young Scientist winners have been announced. Maybe you had a chance to see it live but if not here are the winners. First up in the Undergraduate Category is Lee-Anne Huber, University of Guelph, Canada.
For the fifth year, and with more than 5000 applicants, global animal nutrition company, Alltech has focused in on their 2010 Young Scientist local winners. The Alltech Young Scientist Award brings together the world’s brightest scientific thinkers from colleges and universities across the globe. Alltech, celebrating being 30 years old, has a history of supporting education initiatives as this is the fifth year Alltech has put on their Young Scientist program.
The other big winner in the Graduate Category is Michael Steele, also University of Guelph, Canada.
So Canada has a clean sweep in the competition this year. As you can see above, getting 5,000 entries is big but Dr. Pearse Lyons has made a challenge to get that number up to 50,000!
They’re both pictured in between Inge Russell, Alltech and Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech. You can see a list of the 10 finalists on the Alltech website.
Here’s Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech, facing his adoring paparazzi. The founder of Alltech is looking forward to the upcoming World Equestrian Games which will be held in Kentucky. He should be after investing millions of dollars in the event. According to Dr. Lyons the games may never be held here again so there’s a lot of pressure to make these the best games ever.
I spoke to him at the Kentucky Night celebration during the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. He says there are 61 countries participating in the games and that gives Kentucky a great opportunity to welcome the world. An economic impact study shows that the event will have a $167 million impact on the region but that doesn’t take into account the facilities that have been built and are already being used to host other events.
The World Equestrian Games is a wholesome family oriented event that is free to children under 12 yrs. old and $25 for children over 12 yrs. old (that includes me). Dr. Lyons says, “Y’all come to see us in September, y’hear?”
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon joined DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred executives for yesterday’s groundbreaking on a $55 million parent and commercial soybean seed production plant in New Madrid County, Mo.
“Missouri’s economic recovery continues to strengthen; and to maintain that momentum, it is vitally important that high-tech, 21st-century companies such as Pioneer Hi-Bred invest in Missouri and create new jobs for our work force,” said Nixon. “Pioneer’s investment in New Madrid County through its new soybean production facility further demonstrates how the strategic use of state tax incentive programs can serve as a powerful tool to help draw quality companies to Missouri, creating solid, high-paying jobs, and moving our economy forward.”
As the first Pioneer seed production facility in Missouri, the new plant will primarily serve soybean growers in more southern geographies in the United States. Pioneer also has a research facility in Miami, Mo., selling corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat seed in the state.
Pictured from left to right are: New Madrid commissioner Clyde Hawes, Pioneer President Paul E. Schickler, Governor Nixon, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, and Alejandro Munoz, Pioneer vice president and regional director, North America. See more photos here.
Charter® F2 fungicide seed treatment has received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency, according to BASF Crop Protection.
“Charter F2 combines the benefits of Charter® fungicide seed treatment and AcquireTM fungicide seed treatment for convenience of use and excellent seed safety whether applied on-farm or commercially,” said Chris Exton, Marketing Manager, Seed Treatments for BASF Crop Protection. “Charter F2 is a ready-to-use formulation that controls a broad spectrum of the toughest diseases to help barley and wheat seedlings get a strong start.”
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.
Charter F2 can be mixed with Stamina® fungicide seed treatment for a broader and enhanced spectrum of disease control, as well as Axcess™ insecticide seed treatment for insect control.
Right now there a number of “species sessions” taking place. With so many people here they’re very well attended. You can choose from dairy, beef, pork, poultry, pets and aqua.
For a detailed summary of these sessions from yesterday the Alltech Symposium Blog has a great write-up.
Besides the sessions participants are finding a lot of other activities to occupy themselves in the hallway (avenue) of the convention center. Take a look.
There is some serious business being conducted here at the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. We’re also learning a lot. But it’s not all work. Alltech knows how to throw a party and did so once again at the site of the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. We bused out to the Kentucky Horse Park and enjoyed some Kentucky Ale, find food, good music and great fellowship. I’ve been attending these events courtesy of Alltech for several years now and have made friends with a growing number of people in the animal health industry that includes many countries besides the U.S. Everyone seems to be in good mood. Lots of smiles and laughing going on here. Maybe it’s the “Bounce Back Effect.”
Today we have continuing educational sessions that are species specific before this afternoon’s general sessions. After lunch you will be able to see a live video stream from the Alltech Young Scientist Award presentation. That will start at 2:30pm.
Then starting at 3:30pm we’ll have a live stream of The Great Debate. The topic is, “People, Profits and Planet: Views from around the world.”
In bouncing back, companies are focused on the top line of sales growth and the bottom line of profits. How should we address what UNICEF has called the triple bottom line, being profitable, respecting our customers and employees while sustaining the needs of our planet?
Panelists:
Gordon Butland, Director, G&S Agriconsultants.Co. Ltd., Thailand
Osler Desouzart, Managing Director, OD Consulting Planning and Strategy, Brazil
Trent Loos, Loos Tales, Nebraska, USA
Patrick Wall, Associate Professor of Public Health, University College Dublin, Ireland
We heard a fascinating branding story yesterday here at the Alltech Symposium. Joaquin Pelaez is the Senior Vice President for Product Excellence at Yum! Brands, Inc. which owns KFC. He told us how the brand is now the most recognizable one in China. He told us that Chinese consumers love the brand and in general prefer western brands because they are highly trusted.
I’ve included an interesting excerpt from his speech below in which he describes what the Chinese think about drive through restaurants and eating in your car. You might be surprised. You can read more about his comments on the Alltech Symposium Blog. I’ve also got a short video clip from the Alltech YouTube Channel too.
The former Governor of Kentucky, John Y. Brown, gave us a lesson in branding today. His philosophy includes statements like, “If everyone is going left, I go right because that’s where the opportunity is,” and “We didn’t know how to do it until we did it.”
He’s credited as the father of the KFC superbrand and certainly has the facts to back it up when you consider his accomplishments in building the chain from 600 stores to more than 4,500 stores in less than 8 years.
He’s recognized by the Harvard Business School as one of the Great American Business Leaders of the 20th century. They credit him with co-launching the rapid growth of the fast food industry (along with Ray Kroc of McDonald’s).
You can listen to him tell a story about working with Colonel Sanders and KFC below.
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
David conducted a presentation on delivering expert opinion via social media to an audience at the start of International Poultry Expo week. He's got some great information about who consumers trust and how you can use today's consumer behavior to help communicate your message.
I like David Martosko’s HumaneWatch HSUS 50 percent pledge.
The 
The 
This evening participants in the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium broke up into discussion dinners with various topics. I attended the dairy dinner.
The 1st Annual NAFB Lake Girls Retreat was held this past weekend at the lovely home of the incomparable Sara Wyant and Al Johnson of 
Sara and Al were very gracious hosts and showed us a great time at the Lake. We were able to take the boat out on Saturday and have lunch at Shorty Pants, a drink in Paradise and dinner at The Fish. It was all quite marvelous and only the weather could have been better.
Cool, wet weather slowed down corn and soybean planting last week, but didn’t stop it.
The third 
The 
The other big winner in the Graduate Category is Michael Steele, also University of Guelph, Canada.
Here’s Dr. Pearse Lyons, 
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon joined DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred executives for 
Charter® F2 fungicide seed treatment has received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency, according to 
“Charter F2 combines the benefits of Charter® fungicide seed treatment and AcquireTM fungicide seed treatment for convenience of use and excellent seed safety whether applied on-farm or commercially,” said Chris Exton, Marketing Manager, Seed Treatments for BASF Crop Protection. “Charter F2 is a ready-to-use formulation that controls a broad spectrum of the toughest diseases to help barley and wheat seedlings get a strong start.”
Right now there a number of “species sessions” taking place. With so many people here they’re very well attended. You can choose from dairy, beef, pork, poultry, pets and aqua.
There is some serious business being conducted here at the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. We’re also learning a lot. But it’s not all work. Alltech knows how to throw a party and did so once again at the site of the upcoming 
We heard a fascinating branding story yesterday here at the Alltech Symposium. Joaquin Pelaez is the Senior Vice President for Product Excellence at Yum! Brands, Inc. which owns KFC. He told us how the brand is now the most recognizable one in China. He told us that Chinese consumers love the brand and in general prefer western brands because they are highly trusted.
The former Governor of Kentucky, John Y. Brown, gave us a lesson in branding today. His philosophy includes statements like, “If everyone is going left, I go right because that’s where the opportunity is,” and “We didn’t know how to do it until we did it.”
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
