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 …
Passionate About Beef
The Beef Ambassadors sure do a good job of getting out and promoting beef. I know passion about the product is necessary to be chosen and Jennifer Rassler, Kempton, PA is one of them. She decided to get involved since there are so many people in her area who are not educated about where their food comes from. She says …
NCBA Trade Show
The NCBA Trade Show kicked off yesterday. There was some beef sampling going on. That was tough for this Catholic boy since it was Ash Wednesday. I could only enjoy the sites and smells. I thought it was interesting to hear from a Beef Board member who’s in the meat business say that it’s one of the most important days …
Taking the Oath to Serve the Beef Board
I attended my first swearing-in ceremony today of the new Beef Board members. Representing the Sec. of Agriculture was Craig Morris, USDA Deputy Administrator of AMS’ Livestock and Seed Program. Here you can see them taking the oath. I spoke with Craig prior to the swearing in and he says this is one of the highlights of his job. He …
Hearing From Matthew McConaughey
I’m sure there are some people here at the Cattle Industry Convention who wish Matthew McConaughey was attending but he’s not. That doesn’t mean we didn’t get to hear from him though. At the opening general session we not only got to listen to the new radio ads but also hear a message from Matthew. You can listen to Matthew’s …
Beef Was For Lunch
I hope you enjoy our Zimfo Bytes. Helping put them together and post them on AgWired is Melissa Slagle, pictured here with Steve Barratt, CBB Collections Compliance, after a nice beef burger lunch at Johnny Rocket’s inside our hotel in Reno. Melissa works for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board as Manager of Trade Media. The staff at the restaurant asked when …
Producer’s Perspective of Beef Checkoff
I did some very random interviews with cattle producers as they were getting registered this afternoon about what they think of the Beef Checkoff. I think it’s always interesting to hear their perspective. We’re actively involved in helping communicate the Checkoff activities to cattle producers so you like to think that the message is getting out. Judging from these 4 …
Cattle Industry Convention Preview
Things were very relaxed here in Reno last night so I sat down with Beef Board CEO, Tom Ramey (l), Cheri Delgado, Senior Executive Assistant and Executive Dir. of Communications, Lynn Heinze to get a preview of what will be going on. Tom says that this is the beginning of the annual planning cycle for the Beef Board. He says …
Arriving In Reno
On the road again. Here’s Oakland Airport on the way to Reno. It was a beautiful day for flying. On the way out there were plenty of cowboy hats on the plane. The Cattle Industry Convention is a multi-organizational meeting and I’m not even going to try to cover all of it. The meeting will feature joint and individual meetings …
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 …