Bid In The Christmas Spirit

Chuck Zimmerman

Polar Express BoomerHere’s another blue tractor in the news. This one’s a Polar Express special that’s up for auction to benefit the Christmas Spirit Foundation.

The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is committed to keeping the spirit of Christmas alive and growing memories for the next generation of children and families. To achieve our mission, we focus programs for children, families and the environment … all designed to enhance the Christmas spirit.

The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is the charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association. The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is incorporated in the State of Missouri and has received IRS 501(c)3 charitable organization status.

Besides the Polar Express Boomer there are other items in the auction too.

Ag Groups, Tractor

Landini Wins Tractor Award

Chuck Zimmerman

LandiniI am not familiar with a Landini tractor but they must be doing something right.

Landini USA is proud to announce that the Landini Rex 85 S received the 2008 Tractor of the Year Award in the “Best of Specialized” category. The award was presented to Landini during a special ceremony at the Agritechnica Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany.

Judged by a panel of machinery specialists from 17 European countries, the “Tractor of the Year” award is regarded as one of the most prestigious honors within the agricultural engineering industry. Tractor designs are assessed on design features, benefits, and practical driving appraisals.

The 82 hp Rex 85 S, designed to operate in the narrow rows of the orchard industry, was chosen for its engine performance, innovative four-wheel hydrostatic brakes, electro-hydraulically engaged four-wheel drive, and easy-to-use transmissions. The judges also praised the tractor’s maneuverability within the narrow rows of an orchard.

Landini USA, based in Norcross, GA, was founded in 1884 by Giovanni Landini in Fabbrico, Italy. The aim of Landini was to design and manufacture machinery capable of towing agricultural equipment, in particular the plow. Today Landini offers a full range of tractors for the row crop, livestock and specialty crop market.

Agribusiness, Tractor

New ISU Precision Ag Lab

Chuck Zimmerman

Ag Leader ISU LabIowa State University has a new precision ag lab thanks to Ag Leader Technology. Pictured from left to right are: Dr. Thomas Brumm, Associate Professor, ISU, Dr. U. Sunday Tim, Associate Professor, ISU, Dr. Ramesh Kanwar, ABE Department Chair, ISU Al Myers, President, Ag Leader Technology, Michael Vos, Software Sales Manager, Ag Leader Technology.

Ag Leader Technology, Inc. has donated the latest precision ag equipment to the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University for use in educating students on precision farming systems. The donation starts a new lab at ISU, complete with hardware and software.

“In today’s fast-paced precision ag industry, there is a constant need for highly-educated graduates and we hope to provide students first-hand experience with precision farming systems,” says Al Myers, President of Ag Leader Technology. “Iowa State continues to provide the industry with motivated, young professionals. By giving to the university we hope to strengthen our partnership and continue to take part in the education of students in precision agriculture.”

Students taking classes on precision farming will now be able to use the lab to gain knowledge and understanding of the equipment in a real-world situation. By using the hardware and software together, students will be able to simulate a working farm and collection of valuable information using geospatial technology.

Agribusiness, Precision Agriculture, University

USDA/Ad Council PSA To Prevent Obese Kids

Chuck Zimmerman

In this public service announcement produced by USDA and the Ad Council eating an apple keeps the ceiling from falling on you and turns it into a world map. Well, that’s not really the message.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrition and Consumer Services and the Ad Council announce today the launch of a multi-media public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to inspire children and families to adopt healthier lifestyles.

As we all know, today’s obesity and overweight statistics are staggering. Approximately 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese while 17 percent of American children themselves are categorized as overweight. Research indicates that there is a direct correlation between being overweight during childhood and adolescence and carrying that through into adulthood.

If it were only so easy as running a psa and the crisis of obesity in kids would be solved. Maybe it will help. I don’t know.

Advertising, Food, USDA, Video

Speaking of Beef Kicks Off

Chuck Zimmerman

Speaking of BeefThe Missouri Beef Industry Council has just kicked off a new program as I mentioned late last night called, “Speaking of Beef.” This program includes preparing volunteer producers for public speaking on key issues important to their industry and then helping schedule them to speak to local civic groups statewide. It’s just another way for beef producers to connect with people who are far removed from the farm.

As we talked about in our first training session yesterday, there are so many people today who have never been on a farm, touched an animal like a cow, or seen how they’re cared for that it’s not surprising they have so many misconceptions and ideas about rural life. There’s a big need for public education and a personal approach from someone who’s part of their community is one of the best ways to foster understanding.

Speaking of Beef Training SessionTo help the program participants we worked with the MBIC staff to develop a resource notebook which includes: pre-written speeches on 6 key issues (printed and saved electronically on CD), notecards for each speech, basic information about public speaking and media interviewing, a list of potential questions they will be asked and suggested answers. The volunteers will personalize each talk with anecdotes about their life and farm. They will also receive a supply of handout materials for their presentation as well as items to be used for a drawing after their talk. We’re contacting Rotary, Optimist and Kiwanis clubs as well as local Chambers of Commerce to see if they’d like to schedule in one of our speakers.

It’s a great program and we’ve already got more volunteers on a list for the next training session after we get this first group going. I’ll tell you what. These are some of my favorite people and I know they’ll be a big hit with whatever crowd they get to speak in front of!

Ag Groups, Beef

Zimfo Bites

Melissa Sandfort

  • Bunge North America renewed its support of the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program for 2008 with the presentation of $100,000 during the Progressive Agriculture Foundation annual meeting in Indianapolis, Ind. And Bunge not only contributes financially, but encourages company’s employees to volunteer with the program.
  • DuPont and Beijing Weiming Kaituo Agriculture Biotechnology Co., Ltd. announced the formation of a joint venture to accelerate the discovery of genes for high value agronomic traits such as stress tolerance and efficient nutrient utilization to improve the performance of important crops for farmers in China and throughout the world. For DuPont, this marks another step toward the globalization of its R&D capabilities to accelerate new product launches and drive business growth for its worldwide seed business, Pioneer Hi-Bred. Pioneer is the first major global seed business to have a significant presence in key Chinese corn markets through two previous joint ventures.
  • McCormick International and its parent company ARGO S.p.A have won a contract to supply 200 McCormick XTX Series tractors to Kamaz, Inc., a leading Russian vehicle group. The tractors will be sold under the Kamaz brand to farmers in Russia. The McCormick XTX Series was chosen for its balance of modern technology and price, which will be an ideal fit for Russian farmers investing in more productive machinery.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Fight Stress with Wild Blueberries

    Laura McNamara

    Wild Blueberry AssociationJust a handful of wild blueberries at each meal is the ticket to natural stress-relief. At least, that´s what the USDA has concluded.

    USDA scientists recently concluded that eating Wild Blueberries and other antioxidant-rich foods at every meal helps prevent oxidative stress. (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 2, 170-181, 2007) This study advances antioxidant research by moving beyond the measurement of antioxidants in foods to actual examination of the performance of specific fruits against oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is linked to chronic diseases and aging.

    “We are confident that consumption of Wild Blueberries or other high antioxidant foods is going to be beneficial in fighting oxidative stress,” said lead scientist Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., USDA Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center. “It’s not just what you eat but when you eat it that matters. Phytochemicals in foods have varying degrees of bioavailability and generally are cleared from the blood 2-4 hours after they’re eaten. Ensuring that your body has a steady supply of antioxidant-rich foods can help combat oxidative stress throughout the day.” The study also found that eating a meal with no antioxidants — just carbohydrates, fat or protein — lowers the antioxidant levels and causes oxidative stress. “You’re deficit spending when you eat junk food. You need to continually consume antioxidant-rich foods to keep levels up for optimal health.”

    According to Wild Blueberry Association Nutrition Advisor Susan Davis, M.S., R.D., this research proves yet again the importance of fruits and vegetables and a diet that minimizes foods with little or no nutritional value. “Incorporate fruits and vegetables and other whole foods like grains and nuts into every meal to get the full phytochemical benefits you need to fight oxidative stress and inflammation,” said Davis. “Fresh, frozen, canned, juice or dried, all forms count when you’re trying to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. When it comes to Wild Blueberries, eat at least 1/2 cup every day as part of a well-balanced diet.”

    Ag Groups, Food, USDA

    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