RFA Ethanol Podcast

The Technical Use of Corn

Chuck Zimmerman

Next week’s on-location activities for ZimmComm New Media start off at the Corn Utilization & Technology Conference, CUTC, in Kansas City, MO. I’ll be there producing content for Corn Commentary as well as right here on AgWired. If you don’t know anything about CUTC then you will after you listen to this week’s program. I was in the NCGA offices …

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, NCGA, Research, ZimmCast

Mysterious, New Beef Could Vanish

Laura McNamara

An agricultural research facility in Florida fears the 10 percent reduction in ag research funding will close its doors… and abruptly abort research on a nameless, mixed breed of cattle. The St. Petersburg Times reports: Indeed, few people have ever seen cattle like these. Unless you’re knowledgeable in bovine research, the cross-bred calves huddled in tall grass of the pastures …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Animal Health, Beef, Farm Policy, Farming, Livestock, Research, Technology

NAFB Obtaining Waves of Farmer Media Use Info

Chuck Zimmerman

According to Executive Director, Bill O’Neill, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting is conducting waves of farmer media use surveys this year. It’s their NAFB 2008 National Producer Media-Use Study. He says they’re focusing on larger producers and ranchers (Class 1A, $100,000+ in sales/gross farm income). I’ll be attending next week’s NAFB Washington Watch program courtesy of the organization to …

Media, NAFB, Research

Alltech BioScience Medal of Excellence

Chuck Zimmerman

At the opening general session of the Alltech Symposium a big award is given. This year it was presented to one of Alltech’s own. It’s the Alltech BioScience Medal of Excellence. Dr. Ronan Power, Phd, Director of Research, Alltech, is the Director of their new Nutrigenomics Center. He’s seen here receiving his award (center) with Alltech President, Dr. Pearse Lyons …

Alltech, Research

Alltech Opens Nutrigenomics Center

Chuck Zimmerman

Today Alltech opened the first ever Nutrigenomics Center at its headquarters in Lexington, KY. This state of the art facility will be employing 80 researchers doing cutting edge research in nutrition and genomics. Nutrigenomics is the study of the relationship between diet and gene expression. To officially open the center, a ribbon cutting was held this morning with Alltech President, …

Alltech, Research, Video

Dairy Diet

Laura McNamara

Those who’ve vowed to drop the pounds for their New Year’s resolutions should drink milk. At least, that’s what Loyola Marymount University suggests. The university says milk is great for helping pinch in that waistline. If your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, calcium and dairy can help, according to new research by Loyola Marymount University Professor of Natural …

Dairy, Food, Research

Free-Range? Pah… It’s All the Same for United Egg Producers

Laura McNamara

What’s important is keeping the birds happy. Happy birds produce better eggs and more of them… right? Right or wrong, the United Egg Producers say, either way, free-range birds aren’t necessarily “happier.” Animal rights activists have long alleged that hens in modern cages live a horribly stressed life, but new research appears to debunk those claims. Researchers have discovered that …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Animal Health, Farming, Food, Poultry, Research

Peanuts Promote Healthy Weight for Youth

Laura McNamara

Overweight children can lose weight by incorporating peanuts into their regular diet. At least, that’s what research published in the December issue of Pediatrics suggests. High risk overweight adolescents, ages 10-15 can lose weight while substituting an ounce of peanuts or peanut butter for other less healthy snack choices. The study, “Weight Loss in Overweight Mexican American Children: A Randomized …

Ag Groups, Food, Publication, Research

Organic Beef or Green Beef?

Laura McNamara

A new Beef Eco-Report suggests that “green” food isn´t necessarily organic food and conscious consumers might have to start choosing between the two. Analysts at the Hudson Institute‘s Center for Global Food Issues say that beef produced with grains and growth hormones produces 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions and saves two-thirds more land for nature as compared to organic …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Beef, Environment, Farming, Food, Publication, Research

Feeding Cull Cows

Laura McNamara

Cull cows and their feeding habits are at the center of research underway at North Dakota State University’s Hettinger Research Extension Center. The study is being done in cooperation with South Dakota State University. The Center’s Michelle Stamm says the multi-state southwest feeders project is monitoring the feeding of a group of cull cows for 100 days and then will …

Agribusiness, Farming, Livestock, Research