The ever lovely Executive Director of the Livestock Publications Council, Diane Johnson, has been here at the Cattle Industry Convention interacting with her peeps. I caught her outside the convention center at the end of the day with Todd Johnson, Executive Director of the Kansas Beef Council. No, they’re not related. Diane does a lot more than just run LPC. …
Secretary Ed Schafer and Me
Our Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Schafer, made his first major public policy speech today at the Cattle Industry Convention. Thanks to Andy Vance, Buckeye Ag Network, for snapping a picture for me. It was a pleasure for the ag media to get to meet Schafer. For many of us, it’s our first opportunity and I’m sure not our last. I’m …
Strawberries and Pregnancy
Strawberries are being promoted as an excellent source of folate for pregnant women. The California Strawberry Commission says a new study links folic acid to reduced premature births and that means consumers should be shopping more produce. The Today Show recently reported about a study that shows folic acid supplements greatly reduced the risk of premature birth. Meanwhile, federal health …
Blogging With Daryl in Orlando
This is the first time since we’ve been biodiesel blogging that I can’t be at the National Biodiesel Conference but Cindy and John are there and boy have they been posting some content. You can see posts like this one on the National Biodiesel Conference Blog. Green actress and “sustainable summiteer” Daryl Hannah has been a part of every National …
Commenting On Corn
Hello on Super Bowl Sunday. I’m trying to get ready to hit the road to Reno early in the morning but am planning on cooking some brats and watching the annual big game in high def. This week you can listen in on a discussion I had last week with Mimi Ricketts, Communications Director for the National Corn Growers Association. …
Beef and Biodiesel Blogging
I’ll be Rushing off to Reno early on Monday to attend the Cattle Industry Convention once again. You’ll be able to follow all the action right here on AgWired. I’ll also be the Beef Board Blogger on Beef Board Meeting.com. This will be the third year that the Cattlemen’s Beef Board has blogged their activities at this major national event …
Lisa O’Brien New Executive Director Of USB
Welcome Lisa O’Brien to the United Soybean Board as the new Executive Director. In her new role, O’Brien will be responsible for day-to-day administration of all contracts related to the soybean checkoff, as well as outreach with directors, Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs), contractors and staff. O’Brien’s responsibilities will commence March 1, 2008. “I’m excited about being selected as USB’s …
Rick Got His Ride Wrapped
Here’s Rick Tolman’s new ride. He’s the CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. I was in St. Louis today to have a little strategy session about Corn Commentary. You can read the Rick’s Ride story there. We’ve been working with NCGA on Corn Commentary for 6 months now. Kind of hard to believe. While I was there I did …
Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year
The Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year was named by the International Dairy Foods Association and Dairy Today Magazine. Pictured are (l-r) The Fletcher family (Tyler, Melissa, Mikala and Charles) accept congratulations from IDFA Secretary Mike Reidy and Dairy Today Editor Jim Dickrell. KBC Farms in Purdy, Mo., a member of Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA), was named the …
Cali Orange Comeback
Last year, California orange growers sustained a crippling freeze and lost 40 percent of their crop. But, this year California citrus growers are reporting healthy, plentiful crops. Call it global warming or just a freak of nature, but last year’s crop of California oranges weathered a forty percent decrease because of a devastating freeze. Thanks to good planning and a …