Korea-Japan Key Markets for Canadian Pork

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensThe Canadian Pork Council has identified Korea and Japan as key markets with which the pork industry would like to see Canada aggressively pursue bilateral free trade arrangements. Recently, a coalition of nine Canadian agricultural groups, including the Canadian Pork Council, applauded transport minister David Emerson’s aggressive approach to negotiations for bilateral trade agreements and his commitment to accelerate efforts to clinch new trade deals.

CPC President Clare Schlegel notes increasingly Canada’s competition is working at bilateral arrangements to gain preferred market access so the coalition is absolutely behind the government’s efforts in the bilateral platform as well as the multilateral front. Read More

International

We’re In Illinois Now

Chuck Zimmerman

Jim RobbinsUpon arrival in Illinois today we were greeted by a bunch of folks, including Jim Robbins, Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

Jim is a corn grower in Illinois right below Chicago. He spoke to our convoy group about the good things ethanol brings to America. He also commented on how important the interstate highway system is for transporting agricultural commodities.

I interviewed Jim prior to his speech: Listen to MP3 Jim Robbins Interview (4 min MP3)

Audio, Corn, Ethanol

Ag Coalition Applauds Bilateral Trade Efforts

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensA coalition of Canadian agricultural commodity groups and private companies is applauding the federal government’s aggressive approach to negotiations for bilateral trade agreements.

In March a coalition, representing nine groups sent a letter to federal trade Minister David Emerson warning aggressive moves by competing nations, particularly the United States, in signing bilateral trade deals was eroding Canada’s competitiveness in key markets. In a recent speech, Emerson indicated Canada has rested on its resource laurels falling behind in the race to sign trade deals and announced the federal government plans to accelerate efforts to clinch new trade agreements. Read More

International

Wireless Rest Areas

Chuck Zimmerman

Wireless Rest AreasI know it’s not new or exclusive but I couldn’t help but notice how the rest areas in Iowa now offer wireless internet access.

It’s part of our world. I can’t tell you how often I have wanted to find a hot spot when I’ve been on the highway.

I’ll be posting more over the weekend as we get to Chicago.

Internet

Dueling Satellite Radio Update

Chuck Zimmerman

Dueling Satellite RadiosIt’s time for an update to my cross country, side-by-side, dueling satellite radio contest. I really don’t have a clue which one is going to win this yet.

I’ve noticed that I don’t lose the XM signal going through tunnels or under bridges, even long ones. I lose the Sirius signal right away. That’s kind of major.

However, Sirius has a channel called “The Vault.” That is my music and XM has nothing that I’ve heard that even comes close. In fact, I find myself changing channels on XM to land on songs I want to listen to.

Sirius has bragged about getting Howard Stern but I see this as a major negative. Why in the world would I want to listen to a profanity spewing talk show that focuses on sex? I think it’s repulsive and considered cancelling my subscription when Howard was announced. Of course I just don’t listen.

Both services have good news choices like Fox and CNN. However, sometimes it gets annoying to hear the announcer describe something you can’t see.

Well, that’s all on this subject for now. I’ve also had a couple days when I never got to listen at all due to phone calls and press conference stops. And of course, I still listen to my podcasts on my iPod!

Uncategorized

Commissioner Cahn on Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

Tailgator on EthanolIf you ever need someone to set up a tailgate party for you then the Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe Cahn is your man. He was out in the sun tailgating here in Omaha for the AASHTO Celebrate the Interstate Convoy again today.

This time we were treated to some excellent jambalaya and bratwurst. He’s a great guy with an awesome perspective and outlook on life and I’m glad to have met him.

Before saying goodbye to Joe I got this little video clip to share with you. Joe says corn is hard to find in Nebraska to cook with and explains why: Watch wmv file Commissioner Cahn on Ethanol (1 min WMV)

Corn, Ethanol, Video

Ethanol Blend In Nebraska

Chuck Zimmerman

Bill BuettnerOur convoy is in Omaha, NE now. We’ve got a morning press conference then a display at the QWest Center. Yesterday we finally found a fuel stop that blended ethanol in its gasoline.

I interviewed the Travel Center of America shop manager, Bill Buettner, and found out that he’s also a corn grower and ethanol enthusiast.

Bill says that since they’ve labelled their pumps and blended ethanol he hasn’t really had much feedback from customers. He assumes that’s because consumers accept it more now than they used to.

Here’s my interview with Bill: Listen to MP3 Bill Buettner Interview (2 min MP3)

Audio, Ethanol

Making Progress In Cheyenne

Chuck Zimmerman

Bill Newman and MeBlogging time is a challenge on a long road trip and I’m on a LONG road trip. Tomorrow’s going to be a 502 mile segment of this convoy trip from Cheyenne to Omaha with 2 stops on the way.

At our morning press conference today, Bill Newman (left), Safety Manager for Wyoming Ethanol drove up in Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal’s E85 GM Avalanche. It was nice to see someone from the ethanol industry on hand. The Wyoming Department of Transportation pointed the vehicle out to attendees and the brightly wrapped truck caught a lot of eyes.

Bill followed the convoy on to Cheyenne after the event. Before leaving though I asked Bill a few questions, including telling us a little about Wyoming Ethanol.

Listen to Bill: Listen to MP3 Bill Newman Interview (1 min MP3)

Audio, Ethanol

NAMA On RFD-TV

Chuck Zimmerman

RFD-TVDid you miss the NAMA convention this year? Wonder what the awards ceremony is like? Then watch it on tv.

For the first time ever, a national television audience will get to see America’s most impressive agricultural promotions honored when RFD-TV presents the Best of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Awards ceremony Monday, June 26. The 90-minute show, slated for debut 7 p.m. (EDT) and rebroadcast at 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. (EDT) June 27, is expected to reach more than 29 million viewers of rural affairs network RFD-TV.

The program, which features footage from the awards ceremony, interviews with winners and highlights of the winning entries, also will be made available in DVD format free of charge to NAMA members. (Send DVD requests to RFD-TV, 12809 W. Dodge Rd., Suite 301, Omaha, NE 68154 or via e-mail to Mike@rfdtv.com.)

NAMA

New Biofuel

Chuck Zimmerman

Pioneer Here’s some interesting news from ZimmComm’s latest talking news release project. I’m on the highway as you hopefully know but Cindy’s holding down the office.

DuPont and BP are partnering up to develop, produce and market “the next generation of biofuels” to help meet increasing global demand for renewable transport fuels. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a subsidiary of DuPont, is playing a role in this new partnership, according to Pioneer President Dean Oestreich.

He says the first jointly developed product the partnership will bring to market is biobutanol. “Butanol is simply another molecule that is different than ethanol, but it’s also a fuel. And what we’ve done here is we’ve found a way, through use of our science, to make the process more efficient and economically viable.” Oestreich says biobutanol and ethanol in a blend can actually make a better fuel.

Here’s an inteview with Oestreich about the announcement and the potential for biobutanol. Listen to MP3 Pioneer Interview (7 min MP3)

Agribusiness, Audio, Pioneer