Announcing GoodFuels

Chuck Zimmerman

GoodFuelsWe know that renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel are good, right? That’s the premise of a new website that is launched today – GoodFuels.

Addressing America’s dependence on foreign oil will require many solutions. A solution at our disposal today, and one that is already making significant contributions, is the increased production and use of biofuels like ethanol. Ethanol is already reducing our dependence on foreign oil by hundreds of millions of barrels per year and helping to keep oil and gasoline prices lower than they might otherwise be.

GoodFuels.org seeks to provide a thoughtful and comprehensive discussion of all the issues surrounding biofuels and their important role in our energy future, as well as be a resource for information, news and research pertaining to developments in biofuels.

It’s powered by the Renewable Fuels Association and Cindy and I are contributors.

Biodiesel, Energy, Ethanol

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Monsanto expanded the potential commercial availability of its breakthrough Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ soybean technology by granting a global royalty-bearing license to Syngenta for use across its soybean seed brands. Monsanto now estimates a potential available acreage for the product of 45 million to 55 million acres in the U.S. Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans will be introduced on 1 to 2 million acres for the 2009 season as part of a controlled commercial release, followed by a large-scale product launch of 5 to 6 million acres scheduled for 2010.
  • The 9th International Conference on Precision Agriculture (ICPA) will be held July 20-23 at the Hyatt Tech Center in Denver, Colo. The ICPA conference will highlight significant research and applications in precision agriculture, and will showcase emerging technologies and information management. Complete details on the conference can be found here.
  • The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) has created an online calculator that allows producers to decide whether it is more profitable to sell their soybeans at the local elevator or take advantage of premium prices offered by an elevator located further away. Producers enter basic information about semi or truck bushel capacity, hourly labor cost, and fuel and maintenance cost per mile, and then enter the mileage, time and spot prices for two locations. American Soybean Association members can access the calculator here.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Cattle Industry Summer Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Cattle Industry Summer ConferenceI just bought my plane ticket to Denver for the Cattle Industry Summer Conference. I just don’t think prices are going to improve. Got yours?

    The cattle industry comes together twice a year to discuss current issues as a group, to work on programs and initiatives, and to set the course we should take with our various projects for the betterment of the beef cattle industry. The Cattle Industry Summer Conference features meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board, American National CattleWomen, Inc., Cattle-Fax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

    Here cattle industry members will meet in both NCBA Policy committees and subcommittees and Joint committees and subcommittees to discuss current developments, to work on initiatives developed at Convention, and to make plans for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins October 1st. Issues Forums will be open to all registered attendees at the Summer Conference, and will include hot topics. Everyone is encouraged to participate. A CBB Meeting and NCBA Board of Directors Meeting will also be held.

    Download the brochure here (pdf) or register here.

    Ag Groups, Cattle Industry Conference

    Texas Longhorn Legacy Sale Sold

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance
    The Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance (TLMA) announced today that it is acquiring the Texas Longhorn Legacy Sale, an annual event that tops the calendar of the Longhorn cattle industry, generating $2.3 million in sales this year. TLMA is acquiring the event from its founders, Texas Hill County ranchers Joe and Lorinda Valentine and Mississippi rancher Bill Hudson.

    “The Texas Longhorn Legacy Sale has been an overwhelming success and we are extremely appreciative of the support from friends throughout the Longhorn industry,” said Joe Valentine. “The Legacy has grown to the point that it requires the additional management and marketing resources only the TLMA offers. We are excited that the Legacy Sale will remain an industry-leading event to promote everyone’s beloved Longhorn cattle, and we look forward to many years of continued involvement and support.”

    Ag Groups

    AEM Ag Executive Newsletter

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AEM Ag Executive AdvisorThe Association of Equipment Manufacturers is reaching out to decision makers in the ag sector with a new newsletter.

    The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is vitally interested in a profitable ag sector, and to show support the association has begun publishing a newsletter called Ag Executive Advisor. The newsletter focuses on the connection between ag equipment manufacturers and today’s key issues in agriculture.

    You can find the inaugural issue here. (pdf)

    Publication

    The Technical Use of Corn

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast-172 - Using Corn TechnicallyNext 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 yesterday and spoke with Nathan Fields, Director, Research & Business Development. Nathan explains that the CUTC is held every other year and focuses on the corn processing industry. They focus on the opportunities coming up in the next couple of years and attract public and private researchers, government people and those directly involved in the industry.

    CUTCHe says that program elements will focus on improving corn wet milling efficiency as well as more this year on the dry grind ethanol process. There will be exhibits from companies that produce equipment for the industry as well as government and seed producers.

    This week’s program concludes with music from the Podsafe Music Network. It’s a song titled, “Burnt Popcorn” by a band called general fuzz. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

    You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 172 (17 min MP3)

    Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast172-5-28-08.mp3

    The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

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

    Blog Lite

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Two posts in the last 3 days. Wow. That’s light for the agriblogger. But then I did have to drive home from Lincoln, NE and went to St. Louis and back today for a meeting and to drop my Mac off for a check up. Plus there was the archiving of almost 1,000 photos I took last week and the video and audio and getting caught up on mail and email and so it goes.

    Cindy and I have been going over calendars and we just realized that we have 23 events scheduled to blog in the next 3 months. Yeeow. Just the hotel reservations, credentialing, registering, airline reservations, etc. are a task. We’ve also got 5 website projects underway just to add to the fun.

    It’s a busy little ZimmComm.

    Uncategorized

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) announces Summer Education Week ’08 held July 14-18, 2008, Omaha, Neb. ASFMRA’s Management Education has been reformatted into modules including: Production Practices, Client Goals and Strategic Plan, Professionalism, Principles of Leasing, Conservation Practices, Selling Skills, Commodity Market Planning and Listening Skills. Summer Education Week ’08 is open to the public and pre-registration is required. Registration and fee information can be found here.
    • The ever-popular Massey Ferguson 5400 Series mid-range tractors have new Tier III engines inside and a new look outside. The 110 and 115 hp models expand the mid-range line and its reputation for rugged durability with the right combination of weight and power. The new hood offers mid-range tractor buyers the same serviceability and style as Massey Ferguson high horsepower 6400 and 7400 Series tractors.
    • The University of Florida chapter of the agricultural honor society Gamma Sigma Delta recognized three of the state’s agribusiness leaders and a retired extension director for their service at an annual awards dinner in Gainesville May 8. The honorary named these four as winners of the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award, which recognizes long-term achievement and leadership: J. Bryan Cooksey III, president of McCall Service Inc.; Sherwood “Buddy” Johnson, a third-generation citrus grower known for his ability to lead committees to consensus; Gene Mooney, executive vice president of Ben Hill Griffin Inc.; and Dallas B. Townsend, retired Hendry County extension director.
      Zimfo Bytes

      Ridgeway & Johnson Escape

      Chuck Zimmerman

      Michael PetersonDuring last week’s travels with the Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, I got to know Kevin Ridgeway and Kristen Johnson, Ridgeway & Johnson, very well. Spending all day on a bus does that.

      In the picture you can see Kristen doing the only full view water torture cell escape. There’s more pictures in the photo album.

      These are very talented people who absolutely love what they’re doing. I thought I traveled a lot but nothing compared to what they’ve been doing. They’ve been performing for this tour as well as NBA finals half time shows, taping reality tv in Turkey and other shows on their schedule. Before the last show of the My Real Life Tour I interviewed them outside the Pershing Center in Lincoln, NE. Watch and learn more about the best illusionists in the business.

      I’m going back and forth from St. Louis today so posting will pick up again after I get back. I’ve got to drop off my Mac for its annual checkup which means they’ll have it until I got back to St. Louis on Thursday to pick it up. I’m a little afraid to be Mac-less but I’m sure I’ll get through it.

      My Real Life Tour Photo Album

      AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
      New Holland

      New Holland, Video

      Closing Out The My Real Life Tour

      Chuck Zimmerman

      Michael PetersonThe final show of this segment of the Michael Peterson, My Real Life Tour, is over. What a show. As New Holland dealer Larry Dinkel said to me yesterday, “I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t go to this show.” The Army touring band was one of the best I’ve heard and of course Michael Peterson was great. Ridgeway & Johnson showed why they’re the best illusionists in the business.

      I spoke with Michael right after the show to get his feelings after 10 cities and 4 months of the Tour. He’s pumped up about making a difference in our communities and helping people, especially young ones, to set goals for their lives. He’s hoping to do it all again starting this fall and I hope that happens.

      You can listen to my closing interview with Michael here: real-life-michael-close.mp3

      I’ve got more things I’ll post after getting back home so this will be my final post until then. They’re about to close the Pershing Center so I’d better get a move on. See you later.

      My Real Life Tour Photo Album

      AgWired coverage of My Real Life Tour is sponsored by:
      New Holland

      Audio