Speech By Sec. of Ag Mike Johanns

Chuck Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Mike JohannsOur U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, was on the program early today here at the Cattle Industry Convention. He spoke for about 25 minutes before taking some questions from the floor.

Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, USDA

Those High Priced Veggies Causing Problems

Chuck Zimmerman

USDA ERS Report“You have got to be kidding me.” That’s the first thing that came to mind when I saw the tease for a new report by USDA’s Economic Research Service titled, “Metropolitan Area Food Prices and Children’s Weight Gain.” Basically it was conducted to see if there’s a link between high priced fruits and vegetables and fat kids. Let’s get rid of the term “overweight” please.

USDA

New Board Members Pop Up

Chuck Zimmerman

Double Chocolate Popcorn BallYes, I’ve been wanting to get out and play golf. Especially if I can have a double chocolate popcorn ball. I don’t think you’re supposed to tee these off though. The Popcorn Board wants you to make and eat them.

Ag Groups, USDA

Real Christmas Tree Export Update

Chuck Zimmerman

White House Real TreeHere’s the Chistmas tree in the White House this year (courtesy of National Christmas Tree Association). Being in a Christmas mood I thought it made a good post matched up with a USDA story by Gary Crawford. Gary provides the latest on how Christmas tree exports are doing this year.

Audio, USDA

A Milestone In The Broadcasters Letter

Chuck Zimmerman

USDA's Broadcaster LetterI’d like to thank my good friend Larry Quinn, Assistant Director
Office of Communications, USDA for mentioning us and AgWired in his “milestones” listing in the latest issue of his weekly “Broadcasters Letter”. Larry is one of the people who makes dealing with the government enjoyable. In fact, all the people in the USDA communications department are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you out.

USDA, ZimmCast

Japanese Border Open To U. S. Beef

Chuck Zimmerman

USDAYou’ll be hearing a lot about this today and over the next couple days so I thought I’d give you a heads up. The Japanese border is open to U. S. beef. That’s big news for our cattle producers.

Audio, Beef, USDA

Soybean Sun Protection

Chuck Zimmerman

ARS Photo - Soybean PlantThis is an interesting story since it was put out by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. I can’t find this iSOY Technology Corporation online anywhere though. It’s nice that they’ve made this announcement but it leaves you with very little information and in my quick search I couldn’t find much either.

USDA