UN Whacko Mouths Off About Biofuels

Chuck Zimmerman

United NationsI was going to try to ignore Jean Ziegler the ignoramus from the United Nations when he came out and said that making biofuels from food crops is a “crime against humanity” but . . . it does make me mad and I think it should piss off all American farmers at least. Of course there’s not much about the UN that I think highly of anyway. Here’s a link to the story on AP.

NCGA is rightly incensed by this and their CEO, Rick Tolman has some appropriate words on the issue.

“It is a travesty when an official makes public statements that are so irresponsible, so inaccurate and so inappropriately damning,” he added. “The statements ‘crime against humanity’ and ‘catastrophe of the massacre (by) hunger in the world’ are not to be used lightly or in such an irresponsible manner. If this is an example of how Mr. Ziegler carries out his responsibilities, he should resign his post immediately. Hunger is not something to trifle with and those in positions of responsibility need to be accountable in their statements.”

If you’d like to listen to the whacko in the United Nations own words then here you go: un-biofuels-crime.mp3

Audio, Biodiesel, Ethanol, International, Wackos

Donate an Item to NAFB Foundation Auction

Chuck Zimmerman

NAFB ConventionIf you’d like to make a contribution to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation fundraising auction time is running out. NAFB is making a last minute pitch for more items.

We realize that many of you have generously donated items in past years for the silent/live auction, and for that we are very appreciative. Your past support has not only helped to make each auction a success, but more importantly it has helped the Foundation in its continuing educational support through internship and scholarship grants; funded research that helps us better understand the changing demographics in rural America; and built a curriculum to assist students, teachers and young media professionals in learning how to utilize the power of Farm Broadcasting in a media marketing plan.

This year the auction is again being conducted during the Thursday night reception on November 15 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City. The event will be “back upstairs” where it had been held for many years. If you have not already, please help us keep the list of auction items growing. Please e-mail Rose Marie at the NAFB office with a description of your contribution by November 1, so we can get it in the NAFB Foundation Auction Booklet which will be distributed prior to and during the auction.

NAFB

Corn Power Museum Exhibit Coming

Chuck Zimmerman

Case IH Presents Check'' />The <a href=Indiana State Museum will have a new exhibit in 2009 titled, “Corn: Powering the World.” Thanks to the heads up from contributing sponsor Case IH. Pictured in front of a Case IH Puma 210 tractor is Terry Snack (right), Case IH product specialist, presenting a ceremonial check to Barry Dressel (left), president of the Indiana State Museum.

The exhibit will showcase all things corn — demonstrating how this versatile crop feeds and fuels the world’s population. Opening at the Indianapolis museum in August 2009, the exhibit will continue through January 2010 before traveling to other venues nationwide.

Visitors will be able to view archeological artifacts, discover how popcorn pops and calculate how much corn it takes to power an Indy racecar. A modern lab built into the exhibit will allow visitors to experience genetic engineering first-hand. “Corn: Powering the World” will shape public opinion about critical issues and help visitors understand how corn is rapidly becoming the most important plant-breeding achievement of all time.

The announcement comes at a time when corn literally is a hot commodity. Farmers across the U.S. planted a record 93 million acres of corn in 2007 — responding to demand from ethanol production plants that boosted prices paid to corn growers. As demand continues to grow, farmers will be under increasing pressure to achieve higher yields.

The exhibit is presented by Dow AgroSciences through the Dow Chemical Company Foundation and Ford Motor Company, with contributing national support from Case IH and National Starch Food Innovation.

Corn, Tractor

Farmers Matter to NCGA

Chuck Zimmerman

Farmers MatterFarmers matter to everyone since we do have to eat. NCGA has come up with a creative way to say “thanks.” It’s the Farmers Matter website and video contest. If you’ve got a creative video way to thank farmers then enter.

As the nation’s corn farmers harvest the largest crop in history, the National Corn Growers Association and its state affiliates have launched a new Web site and video contest to thank them for their efforts.

The Web site, www.farmersmatter.org, was created to thank farmers and help educate consumers about growers’ dedication for producing the safest, most abundant food and feed supply on Earth, while also supplying the demands for cleaner-burning, renewable ethanol. The site highlights interesting facts about farming, offers an interactive timeline, videos, downloadable badges for placement on blogs or social networking sites, and a video contest designed to thank farmers for their efforts. Prizes totaling $2,500 will be awarded to a first and second place winner.

“Earlier this year the media was full of stories about a pending corn shortage and the impact higher corn prices were having on the consumer’s pocketbook. In the midst of the largest corn harvest in history, we wanted to take a moment to thank our nation’s corn growers for stepping up to meet demands for both our food and feed needs, as well as helping our nation become more energy independent,” says Ron Litterer, NCGA president.

Consumers, farmers and those in agribusiness are encouraged to visit the site, participate in the video contest, comment in the corn commentary discussion forum and use the Forward to a Friend icon to share the site and fun facts about agriculture with friends and family.

The new website is set up to work interactively with NCGA’s Corn Commentary (a project of ZimmComm New Media).

Ag Groups, Corn

AFT Farmcast Video

Chuck Zimmerman

AFT Farmcast VideoIn case you didn’t know it, American Farmland Trust is putting up some video content on its website called AFT Farmcast Video.

The latest episode is called, “Cooking Up Local.”

You can learn what it means to cook with locally grown, organic ingredients for Airlie’s Executive Chef Jeff Whitte.

Ag Groups, Video

Farm Journal Forum

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Journal ForumFarm Journal has announced the 2007 Farm Journal Forum. The 11th annual program will take place in Washington, DC at the Renaissance Hotel on 9th St. The event is dedicated to founder Sonja Hillgren.

You can find the schedule for the forum here. The theme for the event is “Agriculture’s New Era: How Energy, Trade, and a Farm Bill Shape the Future.” Confirmed speakers include:

Bruce Knight, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Sen. Pat Roberts
Clayton Yeutter, Former Secretary of Agriculture
Former Rep. Larry Combest
Terry Barr, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Gus Shumacher, Jr., former USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture
Gary Blumenthal, World Perspectives
Randy Russell, Lesher & Russell
Brett Begemann, Monsanto Executive Vice President, Global Commercial
John Gordley, Gordley Associates
Tom Buis, National Farmer’s Union
Jon Doggett, National Corn Growers Association
Bill Roenigk, National Chicken Council
Gregg Doud, National Cattlemen’s Association

Register here.

Publication

Butter is Better

Chuck Zimmerman

In fact, looking at the current crop of presidential wannabees I’d rather vote for butter. I think this is a hilarious video and thought you’d enjoy it. I fully agree with the guy in this video by Sweet Tea Films. Butter goes good on a lot of things.

Thanks to Bob McCarty for pointing it out.

Food, Video

South Dakota Sunbird

Chuck Zimmerman

Sunbird PheasantWhile I was in South Dakota the past several days I shot some pheasants in more ways than one. Like this one which I took with a Nikon.

It was my first experience with pheasant hunting and it was unbelievable. I was with a great group of experienced guys for one thing. And there were a lot of birds. It was really nice to have a couple days off and for the first time that I can remember I didn’t check email for over 2 days in a row. I survived so I guess it can be done.

If you’d like to see more of the action feel free to visit my photo album of the South Dakota pheasant hunting experience.

Uncategorized

Qualisoy Touts Incentive to Plant Alternative Oilseeds in Farm Bill

Laura McNamara

QualisoyFarmers who plant alternative oilseeds are slated to get some support from the government, well, in the Senate version of the 2007 Farm Bill at least. The version of the bill passed by the U.S. Senate yesterday includes the Commodity Quality Incentive Program, or CQIP.

CQIP, introduced by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), is a provision providing special support to farmers who choose to plant alternative oilseeds. Many experts believe that CQIP will aid in getting healthy oils to food manufacturers in a timelier manner, resulting in healthier food choices for consumers.

According to QUALISOY(TM) — a soybean industry initiative charged with introducing improved soybean traits to the marketplace — ramping up production of new oilseeds can take three years or more and is a costly and risky business for farmers. QUALISOY developed the CQIP concept as the soy industry attempted to provide soy-based trans fat solutions, but found it challenging to convince farmers to grow new varieties.

“For the first few years, new oilseed varieties may not yield comparably to existing oilseed varieties. So the farmer, who is paid on the amount of soybeans per acre, cannot run the risk of growing the healthier oilseed. Quite simply, he cannot ‘bet the farm’ on growing these new seeds,” said John Becherer, QUALISOY CEO.

CQIP protects the farmer from undue risk and encourages trial of these new oilseeds by providing payments directly to farmers who grow the new varieties. The payments expire after four years, the usual time required for production to achieve commercially viable levels.

Qualisoy points out how the need for alternative oilseeds continues to rise as the food industry reformulates products to cater to consumers increasingly aware of the overall health profile of the foods they’re purchasing.

Agribusiness, Farm Policy, Farming, Soybean

Ag in the Kitchen Inspires New Gaming Software

Laura McNamara

Hell's KitchenWe’ve seen video games based off movies and books and movies based off video games. But, how about video games derived from T.V. shows? Better yet, how about cooking shows? Ludia Inc. is teaming up with Granada America Digital Media to offer a gaming version of the “Hell’s Kitchen” television series.

The multi-year, worldwide exclusive agreement with Granada will see Ludia bring “Hell’s Kitchen” games across all major platforms including PC, console and mobile.

“The show has millions of viewers, and the game will bring the fun of the kitchen boot camp experience from the TVs to the PCs and consoles of this rapidly growing audience,” Ludia founder and CEO Alex Thabet explained.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is prominently featured throughout the game, blazing up the kitchen with his trademark intensity. “His likeness will taste and comment on the culinary creations of players, as well as judge their overall performance. The game will also feature a recipe book with several of Gordon Ramsay’s favorite food concoctions for players to print, try out and share.

The game is slated to coincide with the upcoming fourth season of “Hell’s Kitchen” in the USA in 2008.

Advertising, Food, Technology