I just got another report from Paul McKellips, US Department of State, Public Affairs GO Team. He’s on assignment in Erbil, Iraq. This report is about the work being done to repair tractors in Iraq.
A joint effort between USAID and the Agriculture Reconstruction and Development Program for Iraq (ARDI) is nearing completion on a $28.9 million tractor repair and renovation program. Thirty years of wars, sanctions and a tyrannical regime silenced thousands of farm tractors. After inspecting 10,000 tractors across the country, 5,000 were deemed repairable. Tractor owners are not charged for the repairs. USAID has partnered with Case New Holland and Massey Ferguson – whose brands make up the largest share of agricultural machinery in Iraq – to establish 14 workshops across the country.
You can listen to his report here: 
Tractor Repari – Erbil (3 min MP3)
Double Shifting Hog Plants
The head of Maple Leaf Foods [Canada] suggests improved wastewater treatment is key to double shifting the company’s Brandon hog slaughtering plant.
In an address to community leaders in Brandon recently, Maple Leaf Foods President and CEO Michael McCain reaffirmed his company’s commitment to double shifting its flagship Brandon pork plant as quickly as possible.
He notes, to overcome the financial hurdles of a new wastewater treatment facility, the City of Brandon in partnership with Maple Leaf Foods and Wyeth Organics have sought out a collaborative solution to their respective wastewater treatment challenges. Read More
$8.9 Million For Rural Broadband
Just last Friday I asked Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, what he thinks about farmers using computers and the internet and he responded with a personal anecdote. When I got back to the office I had a news release from USDA in my inbox announcing some more money to provide for “BROADBAND “COMMUNITY CONNECT” GRANTS.”
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner today announced the award of $8.9 million in broadband community connect grants. A total of 21 grants in eight states will be awarded today, elevating the program to $57.7 million invested to 129 awardees in its 5-year history. “These funds will provide a critical link between essential community facilities in areas where no broadband service currently exists,” said Conner. “The goal is to improve public safety and also enable residents to pursue educational opportunities.”
Eliminating Dangerous Child Labor
Eradicating dangerous child labor in agriculture will be a big focus of the International Labour Organization, working with other organizations like FAO in 2007.
ILO has started to cooperate with international food organizations including FAO as a follow up to a new ILO’s Global Approach on Child Labour. In 2007, ILO’s World Day Against Child Labour that is celebrated on the 12th of June each year, will focus on Agriculture and call for the eradication of Child Labour in 2016.
Mr. Guy Thijs is Director of the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour, at the International Labour Organization in Geneva. He recently took part in an interagency consultation (FAO, IFAD, WFP, IFPRI, IPGRI, IFAP, IUF), in Rome, to discuss a co-ordinated awareness campaign against Child Labour in agriculture in 2007. He explains: Thijs Sound Bite (2 min MP3)
Nitrogen Cycling Around Canada
I guess the Agrotain Nitrogen Cycle was such a big hit that it’s on display at farm shows in Canada now.
“The response to the bike at agricultural trade shows in the United States last year was phenomenal,” says Steve Phillips, VP North American Ag Sales. “The Nitrogen Cycle drew a lot of interest, and farmers were asking us a lot of questions about it! It’s a great tool to draw attention to our message of how to minimize nitrogen loss, in an eye-catching and fun way. I can also see this bike getting great attention at the Canadian shows we’ll attend.”
The Nitrogen Cycle will be on display at major agricultural trade shows early in 2007, such as the Crop Production Show, Saskatoon, SK from January 8 to 11, 2007, Manitoba Ag Days, Brandon, MB from January 16 to 18, 2007, Farm Tech, Edmonton, AB from January 24 to 26, 2007 and the CAAR Convention, Calgary, AB from February 6 to 8, 2007.
Markets By Phone
A ZimmCast earlier this summer featured an interview with Commodity Update founder Joel Jaeger. We just sent out a talking news release for him via AgNewsWire.AgWired.com.
I’ve been a subscriber for several months now. The service is flexible and I picked 5 commodities I wanted to keep up with. I elected to have the open and close for them sent to my Palm Treo each day. It’s just like clockwork. They automatically show up on my phone and I’m up to date without having to do anything except look at my phone when the alarm goes off. Very cool.
Imagine if I was receiving short text messages of valuable information that’s branded by a company that’s supplying me with it. Got your creative juices flowing? Give Joel a call (866-376-6094) if you’d like to discuss it.
I would put this in the category of “new media” and the Long Tail.
We ain’t seen nothing yet
The World Harvest for Kids was significant in many ways, but to me once I tallied up the media outlets I had touched in some way directly and indirectly, and the number of mediums I had used to get there, it blew me away.
Without sounding like I’m blowing my own horn overly much, let me explain. When Ray Wieler, the organizer of World Harvest for Kids contacted me about getting some exposure, I had no idea it would explode in the manner if did. My thanks go to all the different media outlets for catching the vision, and playing your part in getting the word out there. Today, I had a note from an editor in Quebec who wanted to use a combine picture, and tell the story about the camp. Read More
Past Ag Club Award Recipients
Here’s another group of very important people.
These are the past recipients of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club, Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award.
If you know who they are feel free to comment.
Past Presidents of the St. Louis Ag Club
I’m not even going to try to identify these people.
These are the past presidents of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club.
Also pictured is the current president, Brett Cude. We don’t want to imply he’s “past” yet.
Gateway NAMA President
Today’s luncheon is a joint meeting of the Gateway NAMA chapter along with the St. Louis Ag Club.
Here’s Gateway NAMA President, Becky Rasmussen, Drake & Co., filling us in on our next meeting.
I don’t have the details with me but you’ll find them shortly on the Gateway NAMA website.