With the addition of a second shift at its Brandon, Man processing plant, Maple Leaf Foods will ramp up in slaughter capacity over the next six to eight weeks. According to Maple Leaf spokesperson Jeanette Jones, the current hog slaughter capacity of 45,000 to 50,000 hogs per week will climb to at least 75,000 per week by the end of …
I Stand at the Crossroads
Harry Siemens – There comes a time in one’s life when you have to stand up and take notice. I’m at such a point in my life right now. I found out on August 14, that three possibly four of my arteries to my heart are blocked from75 to 95 percent. That was the message Dr. Hussain gave me when …
John Deere Completes Acquisition of Ningbo Benye
Just when I thought I had all the John Deere releases in hand, in comes another one. This time it’s about completing their acquisition of the Ningbo Benye Tractor & Automobile Manufacture Co. Ltd. business, located in Ningbo in southern China. John Deere had announced signing a definitive agreement in June. The acquisition expands John Deere’s product line for Chinese …
New Zealand Rural Network Blog
Philippa Stevenson is blogging on the Rural Network in New Zealand. She’s “a freelance journalist and columnist with a 26-year career in journalism. She specializes in reporting primary industries, science and the environment. ” Here’s some information on the Rural Network. It’s “a community for, by and of rural people. Here, you’ll find news, information, topical opinion and useful advice …
Don Gomery Awarded The Crowing Cockerel
This is just too good. Don Gomery (pictured left) is an example of the wonderful kind of agricultural journalist you’ll get to know if you become involved in the activities of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. If you were a member then you’d know from the new and improved IFAJ Newsletter that he just won a very prestigious award …
The Canadian Urban Cowboy Blogs
Thanks to Kyle Maw for reminding me about the Urban Cowboy and his blog. Owen Roberts was one of the judges of the AMS Idol competition at the Ag Media Summit btw. I’m looking forward to visiting the University of Guelph later this year (next month) to conduct a day long class in new media for graduate ag communications students. …
Pork Checkoff Blog and GMO Africa
Here’s some more blogs you might want to check out. The Scoop: This is the blog of the Pork Checkoff. Thanks to Teresa Roof (one of the pork bloggers) for bringing it to my attention. GMO Africa: He lives in Seattle and his name is James Njoroge. James specializes in agricultural biotechnology. He’s trained in mass communication and technical writing. …
Marketing Appaloosas Internationally
It’s a small world. I knew I was supposed to interview Michael Phillips and thought his name sounded familiar. We met at a St. Louis Ag Club meeting a couple years ago. Michael was here at the National Appaloosa Horse Show to speak with the International Marketing Committee. He’s President/CEO of U. S. Livestock Genetics, Inc.. He talked about export …
Codex Alimentarius Commission Meeting
I had to post this just because I like saying, “Codex Alimentarius.” Of course saying it and understanding it are two different things. If you really want to understand it then get yourself to Rome for the 30th annual meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. I can think of worse places to be. Simply stated, the Codex Alimentarius is a …
Farmbridge To Help Iraq Farmers
Susan Littlefield has put together a website called FarmBridge to help connect American farmers with farmers in Iraq. It’s actually a forum site where you can easily post questions and answers on various topics. Like most forums it can grow to include new topics after someone gets registered. Here’s the FarmBridge mission: FarmBridge.com is a grass roots effort by farmers, …