Blog Training In Florida

Chuck Zimmerman

Southeast AgNetTomorrow I’ll be conducting a day long seminar in my home state! Gary Cooper, Southeast AgNet/Citrus Industry Magazine and his staff will be learning about blogging/podcasting/RSS and more. This is going to be fun.

If you’ve been thinking about this whole “blogging” thing I think it’s time to call in a pro-blogger that understands your industry. Hmmm. Who would that be?

The interest in using these communications tools is heating up in the ag world. Keep an eye on AgWired as we continue to develop and help others to do so.

Blogging, Media

R-Calf USA Team To Central America

Chuck Zimmerman

R-Calf USAThis is going to be a toasty trip. I’d take along some sunscreen! I’m betting they won’t find a steak as good as you’ll find here in the midwest.

R-CALF USA to Send Fact-Finding Team to Central America

(Billings, Mont.) – R-CALF USA International Trade Committee Co-Chairs Dennis McDonald and Brett DeBruycker announced today that a four member fact-finding team will be dispatched to Central America on June 24, 2005, to research and analyze the support for, and impact of, the U.S.-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) amongst Central American nations.

The team is charged with four primary goals: 1) obtain what level of support exists for CAFTA-DR amongst the populace and grassroots producers of Central America; 2) research true production numbers for agricultural products in those nations, with a special emphasis on beef production; 3) discover the actual potential for expansion in beef production; and, 4) gain overall insight into food safety conditions in processing plants.

The fact-finding team will depart for Central America on June 24 and is currently scheduled to visit Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras. Meetings and tours will include meat-processing facilities, ranching operations, cattlemen’s groups, embassy and trade officials, and the team is scheduled to appear at a cattle show in Liberia, Costa Rica. The team will return to the United States on July 2. A national tele-news conference is being scheduled following the conclusion of their trip.

For more information contact Shae Dodson.

Ag Group, Beef

Neogen VP Appointed To USDA Advisory Committee

Chuck Zimmerman

NeogenI think the biotech companies have some very cool looking logos. Perhaps this company should be called a micro-biotech company.

Neogen’s Madden named USDA advisor

LANSING, Mich., June 21, 2005 – Neogen Corporation’s Vice President of Scientific Affairs Dr. Joseph Madden was among 30 scientific experts recently appointed by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods.

Since 1988, this advisory committee has provided scientific advice on public health issues relative to the safety and wholesomeness of the U.S. food supply. The committee also assists in the development of microbiological criteria, and reviews and evaluates epidemiological and risk assessment data as well as methodologies for assessing microbiological hazards.

“The casual observer of media hyperbole might draw the conclusion that our food supply is more at risk than ever before. Quite the opposite is true,” said James Herbert, Neogen’s president. “Thanks to the efforts of many, including this National Advisory Committee, we’ve made great strides in making our food supply the safest it has ever been. Secretary Johanns’ appointments to this committee represent the best thinking on food safety from regulatory, industry, and academia.”

The 30 have been chosen to serve for two-year terms, and represent disciplines related to health and food safety issues. In addition to Neogen, appointees also include food safety experts from McDonald’s Corporation, Wal-Mart, Hershey Foods, and numerous governmental agencies and research institutes.

For more information contact Rod Poland, Director of Corporate Communications, 517/372-9200.

Agribusiness

Re-charge Those Youngsters

Chuck Zimmerman

Pfizer Animal HealthI was out shopping today and I saw some of the kids this organization must be targeting. Parents, don’t buy them a car. Get them a bike so they get some exercise on the way to the mall!

Pfizer Animal Health Contributes to Action For Healthy Kids
Nonprofit group dedicated to improving nutrition and physical activity of America’s youth

NEW YORK (June 21, 2005) – Action For Healthy Kids (AFHK) is taking aim at the poor nutrition and exercise habits of America’s youth. AFHK is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving nutrition and physical activity in America’s schools through a variety of educational programs. The organization recently received a major show of support in the form of a $75,000 contribution from Pfizer Animal Health that will be used to support a healthy nutrition component of its new after school program, “Re-Charge!”

“We’re grateful to Pfizer for this generous support of our mission and the “Re-Charge!” program,” said AFHK Executive Director Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, MS, RD. “Contributions are critical to the success of our programs and we are excited about continuing to build relationships within the dairy industry.”

For more informaton contact Kenna Rathai.

Agribusiness

Scout Those Pesky Aphids

Chuck Zimmerman

Pioneer Hi-BredThis timely alert just came out from Pioneer Hi-Bred. You can visit their website to find an agronomist in your area if you need help.

Growers Cautioned to Begin Scouting for Soybean Aphids

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Soybean aphids have been spotted in Iowa, Minnesota and New York. Although it is too early to spray, growers need to begin scouting. Pioneer agronomists are scouting daily for soybean aphids and other pests. For a report on the situation in your area, contact your local Pioneer agronomist.

EXCEPTION: With slower soybean growth in many parts of Iowa scouting will need to begin in early July.

Agribusiness

More Beef For Show Me State Seniors

Chuck Zimmerman

MBIC LogoThe Show-Me State Senior Games are being held this week in Columbia, and one of the sponsors of the event is the Missouri Beef Industry Council. In this week’s MBIC Report Cindy Zimmerman talks with Teri Jo Oetting (Ett-ing) about why the beef council sponsors this event and the importance of beef in the diet of older adults. Missouri State Senior GamesThis will be the last report from Teri Jo as she is moving on to take a new job in St. Louis after serving as MBIC Director of Nutrition Education for four years.

You can listen to the MBIC Report here Download MP3 File

You can also subscribe to the podcast version of this program using the link in our sidebar or pasting http://zimmcomm.biz/mbic/mbic-report.xml into your news aggregator program subscription box.

Ag Group, Audio, Beef, MBIC, MCGA, Podcasting

Look, It’s The Food Safety Mobile

Chuck Zimmerman

USDA Food Safety MobileThis picture really doesn’t do the vehicle justice. It looks like something a 1960’s dude would have loved. You’ve gotta like all the color.

BEEP, BEEP … The USDA Food Safety Mobile is Coming to Minneapolis

The Food Safety Mobile is coming to your town! The USDA Food Safety Mobile is 35-feet long and serves as a “rolling billboard” for food safety and as an attention-getting backdrop for educational exhibits and events. With its bold, eye-catching designs, the Mobile appeals to adults and children alike. Come out and see the Mobile June 23-25 in Minneapolis at the 96th Annual American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Conference and Expo.

For more information contact Amanda Eamich, 202-720-9113, or Robyn Sadagursky, 301-504-0214.

Government

GoEfuel Summer Roadtrip Blog

Chuck Zimmerman

GOeFuel BoyzThanks to Tom Biro at AdJabs for the heads up on this. First I heard about it. Here’s a creative use of blogging! Hello, are you listening? He says that Fargo-based Sundog created the on and offline campaign. Very cool looking to me.

GoE Launches its “Summer Road Trip”
GoE Guys hit the highway to raise awareness and encourage ethanol use

Bismarck, N.D. (June 8, 2005) — GoE, North Dakota’s own brand of ethanol-blended fuel, is launching the “GoE Summer Road Trip” in an effort to raise awareness and encourage all North Dakotans to use ethanol-blended fuels in their cars, boats, lawn mowers and anything else that runs on gasoline. The “GoE Guys,” three gregarious college students in a white car, decked-out in GoE decor, are taking the Road Trip across North Dakota on three separate weekends in June, July and August. They will be searching for fun, funky and unusual events and sites found only in North Dakota. Along the way, they will be committing “Random Acts of Ethanol” – stopping at local petroleum retailers and buying lucky drivers a tank full of GoE fuel. Their antics and adventures will be chronicled in an online Web log (blog) and through posted photos on the GoE Web site: www.GoEfuel.com. In addition to the Random Acts of Ethanol, the GoE Guys will encourage all North Dakotans with a valid driver’s license to register to win a year’s supply of GoE either in person or online. “The GoE Summer Road Trip is an unexpected and fun way to help raise awareness about ethanol’s benefits for the economy and the environment,” says Kim Christianson, program manager of the State Energy Office. “The GoE Guys are hitting the highways of North Dakota to help remind people to make ethanol their fuel of choice as they enjoy the summer driving season.”

For more information contact Kim Christianson, North Dakota Department of Commerce, 701-328-4137.

Ag Group, Blogging, Ethanol, Government

DNA IP Changing Hands

Chuck Zimmerman

Applied DNA SciencesThis sounds like some very interesting work. Their release describes the DNA technology they use like this. “Botanical DNA technology is a leading brand protection and anti- counterfeiting solution since it is based on authentication of the encoded DNA in a product through forensic analysis. Applied DNA Sciences technology protects products and brands, deters counterfeit and grey market activity and safeguards corporate investment and market share. Microscopic covert DNA markers can be integrated into products and packaging, in inks, paper, coatings, adhesives, thread, textiles, polymers, liquids, holograms and microchips.” Although I wanted to become a forest ranger once the science was too much for me. I can only imagine what it takes to become a botanical DNA technologist!

Applied DNA Sciences Closes on DNA IP From Biowell

LOS ANGELES, June 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: APDN) , a security solutions company whose DNA technology detects and deters counterfeiting, fraud, product diversion, and protects the corporate supply chain, today announced that on June 14th, 2005 at a General Meeting of the Shareholders of Biowell Technologies Inc., the Shareholders unanimously voted to accept the terms and conditions of the sale of the Intellectual Property to Applied DNA Sciences. This vote consummates several months of negotiations and provides global control of the technology to APDN.

APDN will establish a laboratory in the US to produce the DNA security products. The ability to produce the products in the US and to provide them as a US-owned technology opens the door for APDN to conduct business with US Federal Agencies, a primary business focus for the company.

Biowell now becomes an exclusive Licensee for Asia and certain other territories, thereby generating a royalty stream for APDN. The IP has been verified by independent laboratories and leading molecular biologists and patent attorneys.

Peter Brocklesby, president of APDN stated, “We have completed a major milestone in the reorganization of our company and the transfer of control of the technology to the US. Our efforts can now be fully focused on executing our business plan to commercialize the DNA technology for the burgeoning global security market.”

For more information contact Adrian Butash.

Agribusiness

Announcements From The Hale Group

Chuck Zimmerman

The Hale GroupJon Holt Joins The Hale Group – Industry Veteran Will Serve Growing West Coast Clients

DANVERS, Mass., June 20 /PRNewswire/ — The Hale Group, Ltd., the leading strategic consulting firm serving the food and agribusiness industries, announced today that Jon Holt has joined the firm as Associate Principal. He will serve the growing needs of our clients as a member of the firm’s West Coast foodservice practice.

Jon brings over fifteen years of extensive sales, marketing and general management experience in the food industry to The Hale Group. He also brings a unique understanding of the food industry supply chain having served in executive positions in manufacturing, distribution and national chain restaurant operations for best in class organizations including RJR/Nabisco, Sysco Food Services and TGI Friday’s.

“As the food industry evolves, it is increasingly important for companies to partner with all members of the supply chain to remain competitive,” stated Bill Mason, Managing Director. “The Hale Group works with clients to develop strategies to successfully manage these critical relationships. Our West Coast clients will be well served with Jon’s hands-on experience working within various segments of the supply chain.”

The Hale Group also announced today that Rob Veidenheimer has been promoted to Associate Principal after several successful years serving clients in the role of Consultant. He will continue to utilize his extensive marketing experience in both the retail food and foodservice industries to develop actionable strategies that grow our clients’ businesses.

For more information contact William Mason.

Agency