New CBB Chairman Dave Bateman

Chuck Zimmerman

The Cattle Industry Convention is about over. I’ve got some posts to do still but you can also find a lot of additional interviews over on the Checkoff website – Beef Board Meeting.com. This morning the CBB welcomed a new chairman – Dave Bateman. Here’s Dave, hard at work at today’s annual meeting. After the meeting I did a short …

Audio

Honoring Paul Hitch

Chuck Zimmerman

The beef industry honored Paul Hitch today at the general session. His family joined him on stage and he was presented with a plaque and accolades for all the work he’s done on behalf of the industry over the years. Paul’s a producer from Oklahoma. Paul was to be the next President of NCBA until illness struck which has prevented …

Audio

Secretary Ed Schafer and Me

Chuck Zimmerman

Our Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Schafer, made his first major public policy speech today at the Cattle Industry Convention. Thanks to Andy Vance, Buckeye Ag Network, for snapping a picture for me. It was a pleasure for the ag media to get to meet Schafer. For many of us, it’s our first opportunity and I’m sure not our last. I’m …

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, USDA

Passionate About Beef

Chuck Zimmerman

The Beef Ambassadors sure do a good job of getting out and promoting beef. I know passion about the product is necessary to be chosen and Jennifer Rassler, Kempton, PA is one of them. She decided to get involved since there are so many people in her area who are not educated about where their food comes from. She says …

Audio, Beef

Andy Groseta Talks At LPC Lunch

Chuck Zimmerman

The Livestock Publications Council held their annual lunch today and the featured speaker was Andy Groseta, incoming NCBA President. Andy welcomed everyone and told the group how import their efforts were in delivering information vital to American cattlemen. The luncheon is actually still going on. I had to leave to attend a different one and am posting this in between. …

Audio, LPC

Taking the Oath to Serve the Beef Board

Chuck Zimmerman

I attended my first swearing-in ceremony today of the new Beef Board members. Representing the Sec. of Agriculture was Craig Morris, USDA Deputy Administrator of AMS’ Livestock and Seed Program. Here you can see them taking the oath. I spoke with Craig prior to the swearing in and he says this is one of the highlights of his job. He …

Audio, Beef, Video

Hearing From Matthew McConaughey

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m sure there are some people here at the Cattle Industry Convention who wish Matthew McConaughey was attending but he’s not. That doesn’t mean we didn’t get to hear from him though. At the opening general session we not only got to listen to the new radio ads but also hear a message from Matthew. You can listen to Matthew’s …

Audio, Beef

Producer’s Perspective of Beef Checkoff

Chuck Zimmerman

I did some very random interviews with cattle producers as they were getting registered this afternoon about what they think of the Beef Checkoff. I think it’s always interesting to hear their perspective. We’re actively involved in helping communicate the Checkoff activities to cattle producers so you like to think that the message is getting out. Judging from these 4 …

Audio, Beef

Cattle Industry Convention Preview

Chuck Zimmerman

Things were very relaxed here in Reno last night so I sat down with Beef Board CEO, Tom Ramey (l), Cheri Delgado, Senior Executive Assistant and Executive Dir. of Communications, Lynn Heinze to get a preview of what will be going on. Tom says that this is the beginning of the annual planning cycle for the Beef Board. He says …

Audio, Beef

Commenting On Corn

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello on Super Bowl Sunday. I’m trying to get ready to hit the road to Reno early in the morning but am planning on cooking some brats and watching the annual big game in high def. This week you can listen in on a discussion I had last week with Mimi Ricketts, Communications Director for the National Corn Growers Association. …

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, ZimmCast