We had two Under Secretaries talk to us here today. It was my first time to meet our USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, Gale Buchanan. He was here at the Transition To A Bio Economy conference to talk about the need for research in a growing bio economy. In fact, he sees a need for a tremendous …
R&D Risk in Renewable Fuels
Two key words in a presentation at the Transition To A Bio Economy Conference were flexibility and diversification. These are important to managing risk, especially in R&D for renewable fuels. Our presenter was Gordon Rausser, University of California, Berkeley, who was here with his assistant Maya Papineau. I interviewed them both together after the presentation. Gordon says that we should …
The Technical Use of Corn
Next week’s on-location activities for ZimmComm New Media start off at the Corn Utilization & Technology Conference, CUTC, in Kansas City, MO. I’ll be there producing content for Corn Commentary as well as right here on AgWired. If you don’t know anything about CUTC then you will after you listen to this week’s program. I was in the NCGA offices …
Mysterious, New Beef Could Vanish
An agricultural research facility in Florida fears the 10 percent reduction in ag research funding will close its doors… and abruptly abort research on a nameless, mixed breed of cattle. The St. Petersburg Times reports: Indeed, few people have ever seen cattle like these. Unless you’re knowledgeable in bovine research, the cross-bred calves huddled in tall grass of the pastures …
NAFB Obtaining Waves of Farmer Media Use Info
According to Executive Director, Bill O’Neill, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting is conducting waves of farmer media use surveys this year. It’s their NAFB 2008 National Producer Media-Use Study. He says they’re focusing on larger producers and ranchers (Class 1A, $100,000+ in sales/gross farm income). I’ll be attending next week’s NAFB Washington Watch program courtesy of the organization to …
Alltech BioScience Medal of Excellence
At the opening general session of the Alltech Symposium a big award is given. This year it was presented to one of Alltech’s own. It’s the Alltech BioScience Medal of Excellence. Dr. Ronan Power, Phd, Director of Research, Alltech, is the Director of their new Nutrigenomics Center. He’s seen here receiving his award (center) with Alltech President, Dr. Pearse Lyons …
Alltech Opens Nutrigenomics Center
Today Alltech opened the first ever Nutrigenomics Center at its headquarters in Lexington, KY. This state of the art facility will be employing 80 researchers doing cutting edge research in nutrition and genomics. Nutrigenomics is the study of the relationship between diet and gene expression. To officially open the center, a ribbon cutting was held this morning with Alltech President, …
Dairy Diet
Those who’ve vowed to drop the pounds for their New Year’s resolutions should drink milk. At least, that’s what Loyola Marymount University suggests. The university says milk is great for helping pinch in that waistline. If your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, calcium and dairy can help, according to new research by Loyola Marymount University Professor of Natural …
Free-Range? Pah… It’s All the Same for United Egg Producers
What’s important is keeping the birds happy. Happy birds produce better eggs and more of them… right? Right or wrong, the United Egg Producers say, either way, free-range birds aren’t necessarily “happier.” Animal rights activists have long alleged that hens in modern cages live a horribly stressed life, but new research appears to debunk those claims. Researchers have discovered that …
Peanuts Promote Healthy Weight for Youth
Overweight children can lose weight by incorporating peanuts into their regular diet. At least, that’s what research published in the December issue of Pediatrics suggests. High risk overweight adolescents, ages 10-15 can lose weight while substituting an ounce of peanuts or peanut butter for other less healthy snack choices. The study, “Weight Loss in Overweight Mexican American Children: A Randomized …