We’ve seen USDA Under Secretary Tom Dorr so many times in the past year or so at so many events that we have gotten to know him pretty well. But, now he is moving on and out of USDA. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced the resignation, effective December 1, 2008, of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas …
POET Project LIBERTY
I think the last time I was in Emmetsburg, IA it was to visit with a local radio station for the Brownfield Network. It’s been a while. Well, that’s where I’m headed to attend tomorrow’s POET Project LIBERTY field day. The main purpose of this year’s event is to highlight advances in corn cob harvesting for cellulosic ethanol. I’ll be …
Vicki Henrickson Joins BCS Communications
Vicki Henrickson is pictured on the right here along with Rhonda Ludwig and Anita Vanderwert at this year’s Farm Progress Show. It’s the first picture I found in the ZimmComm archives when looking for one to use with this news from BCS Communications. Blasdel Cleaver Schwalbe Communications, LLC, announces that Vicki Henrickson has joined the company as media director / …
Pioneer Corn Mikes
I thought this image of corn microphones from the Pioneer NAFB Trade Talk invitation was worth sharing. Pretty cool creative, eh? If you’re planning to attend the 2008 NAFB Convention, get your microphone and recorder ready, and stop by the Pioneer Hi-Bred Trade Talk booth. You’ll learn more about the latest from Pioneer and what is to come in 2009. …
Zimfo Bytes
Syngenta announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the pot and garden Chrysanthemum and Aster business of U.S. flowers producer Yoder Brothers Inc. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2008, pending regulatory approvals. The world’s largest dairy exporter, Fonterra Co-operative Group, has opened its new research and development center – the Chicago Technical Center (CTC) – …
Frying Turkey is High Cotton
In case you’re already planning your turkey dinner the National Cottonseed Products Association wants you to consider cooking in cottonseed oil. I have not fried a whole turkey yet but maybe this is the year to do it. Apparently cottonseed oil is now available to consumers. For years, peanut oil has been the default oil for deep-frying turkey, a long-time …
Get Ready To Support NAFB Foundation
At next week’s NAFB convention you’ll have a chance to support the NAFB Foundation with their annual auction. They’ve got a lot of items already donated like this Terry Redlin print (donated by Ron Claussen). Here’s some information about it: This print was created in 1980. It is number 837 of 2400. Initially, this print was sold exclusively through Ducks …
Biodiesel Car On Display at SEMA Show
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is holding their annual show in Las Vegas and Jay Leno’s Ecojet is on display. Besides the team from Jay Leno’s Garage, Joe Jobe, NBB CEO is also there to speak with the media and attendees. This is not a consumer show btw and according to Joe attorneys aren’t invited either. That’s interesting. I …
Nokia To Deliver Ag Info To Mobile Phones
Nokia is bringing a whole new dimension to the idea of mobile information delivery. They just announced a plan to bring agricultural information and education services to non-urban consumers in emerging markets with a service called Nokia Life Tools. Can the United States be far behind? Or are there companies already delivering ag information to mobile phones here in America? …
CHS Straw Vote
Okay, let me add to your political saturation level. Hey, it’ll all be over tomorrow night (we hope). I thought this was an interesting story, especially considering the business CHS is involved in. Minnesota polls are showing otherwise, but the 20-year-old straw vote tradition at the headquarters of CHS Inc. (NASDAQ:CHSCP) , a leading energy and grain-based foods company, is …