Rhino Fertilizer For Christmas

Laura McNamara

International Rhino FoundationThis could be the breakthrough farmer´s across the country have been looking for: a super fertilizer of rhino poop! Nah, probablz not. But, I couldn´t pass up throwing up a post about the debut of rhino poop for this holiday season.

We swear we’re not making this up. For the first time in history you may find rhino poop under your Christmas tree. This year the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is auctioning off endangered feces — poop from endangered rhino species. It’s all part of an effort to save one of Earth’s most recognizable, but most threatened wild animals.

That’s right, actual rhino poop will be an auction item on the popular Web site eBay. The rhino poop auction will begin Friday, November 30, 2007 and can be accessed by searching for “rhino poop” at www.eBay.com or by visiting www.endangeredfeces.org.

“Everyone knows about rhinos, but not everyone knows that they are disappearing from the Earth,” says International Rhino Foundation Executive Director Dr. Susie Ellis. “It might sound silly, but the money raised by the rhino poop auction will benefit conservation programs, raise awareness, and help us to save rhinos.”

Four separate pieces of rhino dung, representing the four species of rhino living in the United States, will be up for auction on eBay – including the White Rhino, the Black Rhino, the Sumatran Rhino and the Indian Rhino. The Javan Rhino, the only species not represented, is so rare that obtaining dung was not possible. The opening bid for each item will depend upon the rarity of the species.

The IRF also suggests its Adopt-A-Rhino Program as another holiday gift idea.

Animal Health, Environment

Speaking of Missouri Beef

Chuck Zimmerman

Cindy Speaking of BeefCindy and I had a nice trip to Springfield today to conduct the first training session for the Missouri Beef Industry Council’s new “Speaking of Beef” program. I’ll post more on this tomorrow.

Here you can see Cindy going over the basics when it comes to public speaking. That’s what these cattle producers will be doing over the next year as we help schedule them in to speak to local community groups.

During our session we had each of them give a “practice” speech which we recorded and then played back to critique. It was fun and I promised I wouldn’t put any of them on YouTube (although it’s tempting).

If you’d like to learn more about the program now you can listen to this week’s MBIC Report podcast with MBIC Executive Director John Kleiboeker: mbic-report-12-5-07.mp3

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef

Beef Promotion Board Appointments Made

Melissa Sandfort

Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced 39 appointments to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning Feb. 3, 2008.

beef-checkcolor.jpgAppointed members representing cattle producers by state are: Max Bozeman, Jr., Alabama; Weldon D. Wynn, Arkansas; Manuel Rodrigues, California; Harold A. Wick, Colorado; Sidney L. Sumner, Florida; Dan D. Hinman, Idaho; Paul L. Kent, Minnesota; Dianne Sites, Missouri; Lawrence J. Switzer, Montana; David C. Schubel, New York; Brian C. Healey and Steve Smola, Oklahoma; Sharon E. Livingston, Oregon; Daniel M. Kniffen, Pennsylvania; Charles L. Ezer, Austin E. Brown III and Mary Lou Bradley, Texas; and Warren D. Viergutz, Wisconsin.

Reappointed members representing cattle producers by state or region (unit) are: Virginia K. Coelho, California; David W. Bateman, Illinois; Virginia J. Davis, Indiana; Daniel F. Petersen, Iowa; Glenda J. Flora, Kansas; Dana R. Hauck, Kansas; Ross D. Garwood, Nebraska; Doris L. Rush, Nebraska; Jeffrey L. Dahl, North Dakota; Neil C. Kayser, Northwest; Franklin J. Phelps, Ohio; Merrill Karlen, Jr., South Dakota; Robert Q. Fountain, Jr., Southeast; Robert D. Fugate, Tennessee; Richard J. Hodge, Texas; and Bobby L. Combs,Virginia.

In addition, R. Wayne Buck, Colorado was appointed to complete the term of aproducer who recently resigned from the board. Donald E. Stewart was reappointed to represent importers.

Beef, USDA

Holiday Gift Idea: TickleMe Plant

Laura McNamara

TickleMe Plant CompanzAgriculture can be fun and, for the TickleMe Plant Company, agriculture can be a great theme for holiday gifts. Who wouldn´t want a gift that moves when you tickle it? We all know the TickleMe Elmo went over well. Maybe the TickleMe Plant will be this Christmas´hot thousand-dollar item on EBay.

“Daddy come quick, my plant just moved when I tickled it,” daughter Rebecca screamed to her father, Larry Chipkin. Thus began the success of the TickleMe Plant Company and the seeds and growing kits that Chipkin now sells.

Native to Brazil, TickleMe Plants can be found growing wild there and in other tropical areas. The scientific name for the TickleMe Plant is Mimosa pudica.

“We simply planted the seeds in a flower pot with soil, watered it, and the plants sprouted in days,” he says. “Two weeks later, we tickled this sensitive plant and watched in amazement as the plant closed its leaves and lowered its branches. Then, within 15 minutes, it lifted its fernlike branches and opened its leaves… We want every child (and those young at heart) to have a positive experience growing plants. Growing the TickleMe Plant from seeds will be an adventure children (5 to 105) will never forget,” Larry says.

The ag gift that moves is also a reasonably economical choice for this holiday season. A packet of seeds goes for about $5. Visit the TickleMe Plant Company website for educational plant products and activities.

Seed

Organic Beef or Green Beef?

Laura McNamara

Center For Global Food IssuesA 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 grass-fed beef.

To reach these startling conclusions, analysts at the Hudson Institutes´s Center for Global Food Issues used beef production models from Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and greenhouse gas emissions estimates from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN IPCC).

More than 95% of beef produced in the United States is raised on grain-based diets in feedlots, using supplemental growth hormones, both natural and synthetic. The report details the extensive human and environmental safety requirements for the use of supplemental hormones on feedlots, as well as the growing body of environmental monitoring studies showing no significant negative impacts from their use. Instead, the data show major environmental benefits of this production system: Saving 2/3 more land for nature and producing 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions per pound of beef produced.
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Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Beef, Environment, Farming, Food, Publication, Research

The Red Wine Diet

Laura McNamara

PlaimontWe´ve all heard of various nutrition gurus encouraging health-conscious eaters to enjoy a glass of red wine with dinner. But, most of us don´t know much more than that. Why, exactly, are we encouraged to have that coveted glass of red wine? Well, a new book, The Red Wine Diet, delves into the benefits of the popular dinner drink.

For generations, red wine, and particularly the hearty Madiran, has been a prescription for life in the Gers region of southwestern France. The Red Wine Diet, newly released by Penguin Group USA, now offers an explanation as to why the people of the Gers enjoy above average longevity, and why certain grape types are healthier than others.

Plaimont and the makers of 1907 Madiran from southwest France joined forces with research scientist Roger Corder to launch his new book The Red Wine Diet in the United States.

Based on his landmark findings published in the scientific journal Nature in late 2006, Corder offers a guide to choosing healthful red wines as well as a complete nutrition plan. A cardiovascular expert, Corder has been investigating the link between wine and health for nearly a decade and has found that organic antioxidant compounds called procyanidins in wine are the key components for preventing illness and promoting well-being.< i>

Agribusiness, Food

Schmidt Joins EMD Crop BioScience

Melissa Sandfort

Paul Schmidt has joined EMD Crop BioScience as President, succeeding Tom Winkofske, who will retire at the end of the year. To aid in the transition, Winkofske will temporarily serve in a consultant role. Schmidt brings 25 years of experience in the crop bioscience industry and most recently served as Vice President of New Business Ventures for Bayer CropScience, developing new business opportunities in the areas of nutrition, health and biomaterials.

“Our search for a new President was a long and rigorous one, and it brought us to the best possible outcome,” said Winkofske. “Our criteria demanded the skills necessary to lead our business and to reach the high goals we have set. Paul matches our target profile without compromise. He has the far-reaching expertise in global strategy for plant biotechnology products, a successful record in business alliance management and multifaceted background in sales, marketing and product management.”

Born and raised on a grain and hog farm in Saskatchewan, Schmidt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Prior to Bayer CropScience, Schmidt had held positions with Aventis CropScience, Hoechst Schering AgrEvo and Hoechst.

“As a company founded almost 120 years ago, EMD Crop BioScience has a long and remarkable history of providing high value plant enhancers for yield enhancement,” says Schmidt. “My job is to see that continue. With the growing global demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel, the need for innovative technologies and solutions to enhance plant production has never been greater.”

Schmidt and his family are presently planning their relocation from North Carolina to the Milwaukee area.

Uncategorized

Missouri Cattle Industry Convention

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri Cattlemen's AssociationIt’s time for the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention. Cindy and I will attending tomorrow afternoon to do a little public speaking workshop for the Missouri Beef Council which meets at the same time. I’ll try to have some pictures for you. Not to make them nervous or anything.

The 2007 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show is just around the corner. The Convention will be held December 6-8, 2007 at the University Plaza Hotel and Springfield Expo Center in Springfield, Missouri.

For cattle producers, regardless of the size or scope of their farm or ranch, this is an excellent opportunity to help shape the policy of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association for the upcoming year, to take part in a wide range of educational programs, to visit hundreds of trade show exhibits, and to enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship of the Convention. The convention & trade show is open to the public.

Ag Groups

Lessing-Flynn Celebrates 100 Years

Chuck Zimmerman

Tom and Laurie FlynnCongratulations to Tom Flynn for his new job starting January 1, 2008 as President of Lessing-Flynn. Here’s Tom with his wife Laurie.

Last week the agency celebrated 100 years in business. What a milestone. We’ve only got about 25 times that many years to go to get there as a company.

At their celebration the agency hosted more than 230 clients, suppliers and friends. It was also announced that Connor Fynn would become Chairman of the Board with Joe Rosenberg assuming the position of Vice Chairman.

Agencies