An Evilicious Organic Ocean Vodka Cheers

Chuck Zimmerman

Ocean Breeze VodkaCheers from the Crystal Pig Hunt Club. I got to spend another couple days on a great piece of Georgia property that replaces the fantastic 20 year run we had in Pilot Grove, MO.

The cheers comes from Organic Ocean Vodka. This Hawaiian product is made from organic sugar cane in Maui. It came to my attention via email and I was lucky enough to score a sample to take with me to hunting camp. At the same time I came across some locally made bloody mary mix at a downtown Pensacola outdoor market – Vicki’s Wicked Potions “Bloody Brew” which is called “evilicious” and made with creole spices. So I took a break from cleaning the buck I got on Saturday morning and we mixed up a batch. Wow. Mmm good. Here’s where you can find Ocean Vodka near you. Now let’s learn more about Ocean Vodka, made by Hawaii Sea Spirits, LLC.

Organic Ocean VodkaFor more than seven years, the Smith Family has worked diligently to bring their special Ocean Vodka from the Island of Maui to the far reaches of the world. The opening of a new craft distillery for public tours and tastings on their 80-acre organic farm is a dream come true for the family’s mission: to create a superior, organic, value-added agricultural product from Hawaii that supports the local economy, competes globally on quality, operates with environmental responsibility and raises awareness for oceanic conservation. Read More

Food

Merck’s Attack on BRD

Jamie Johansen

nafb-13-26-editedMerck Animal Health is dedicated to spreading the awareness of one of the most common diseases found in the cattle industry. Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) continues to take an economic toll on herds across the country. During NAFB’s Trade Talk I spoke with Dr. Brent Meyer, technical services veterinarian for Merck. He shares what the company is doing to tackle BRD and educate producers.

“We brought a new antibiotic to the market called Zuprevo. It is a macrolide antibiotic labeled for treatment and/or prevention of the disease. So it has a dual label. What’s unique about this product is that it is very fast acting. After one sub-q dose of 1cc per 100lbs. in four hours its in the lung tissue killing the bacteria that might be in there. It also stays in the lung tissue for 28 days.”

It has been on the market for a good year and Merck is excited with the testimonials they are starting to receive. The producers Dr. Meyer has talked with have used the product on high-risk calves and have reduced their death loss from 8% down to less than 1%.

To help educate producers, Merck has launched a blog called BRD Report: From The Fence Post. It’s sole purpose is to raise awareness of BRD for veterinarians, livestock producers, agricultural media and industry influencers to access important information vital to the prevention and treatment of this deadly disease.

Blog content includes valuable insights and best practices from industry experts about easing stress, nutrition, maintaining facilities and recognizing signs of disease, as well as comparative studies, relevant peer-reviewed articles and industry news. Contributing bloggers include university researchers, nutritionists and livestock producers, as well as Merck Animal Health veterinarians.

Listen to my complete interview with Brent here: Interview with Dr. Brent Meyer

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Beef, NAFB

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

NASS Talks Crop Numbers and Census at NAFB

Leah Guffey

Representatives from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) were on hand at NAFB Trade Talk last month to discuss the 2013 crop and the 2012 census.

usda-nassThe 2013 harvest is considered completed at this point and Lance Honig with NASS says with a record corn crop and near record soybean crop forecast it’s turned out to be a pretty good year, despite the weather challenges.

“We started one way, we kind of went another way.  It’s just the weather shifting throughout the season, but apparently we had enough moisture at the right times to produce a good crop this year”

The November crop production forecast was the final one of the season so Honig says NASS is beginning the process this week of surveying some 80,000 farmers for the final end-of-season numbers coming out January 10.

Listen to my complete interview with Lance here: Interview with Lance Honig

Meanwhile, NASS is also gearing up to release the first numbers from the 2012 Census of Agriculture soon.  However, that release is running a little behind schedule due to the two week government shutdown in October.  According to Donald Buysse with NASS, the preliminary results are scheduled for release on February 20, 2014 at the Ag Outlook Forum, with the bulk of the data to come later.

Listen to my complete interview with Donald here: Interview with Donald Buysse

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

 

Audio, NAFB, USDA

NAFB Member Larry Ristvedt Passed Away

Talia Goes

LarryRistvedtLong-time NAFB member & KFGO Radio (Fargo, North Dakota) farm broadcaster Larry Ristvedt passed after a fight with ALS.

Larry was born September 21, 1942 in Fargo, ND, the son of Emerald and Lester Ristvedt. He graduated from Minnesota State University of Moorhead in 1968, following five years of service in the Air Force.

Larry began his career as a commodities broker before joining Fargo’s KFGO radio, where he delivered farm news and market analysis for 34 years before retiring in 2010. He was recognized in 1997 with the University of Georgia’s prestigious Peabody Award for his radio commentary entitled “Flood of the Century.”

Larry’s limitless curiosity led him to accomplish many things during his life, traveling widely around the world, meeting people and making friends wherever he went. His well-known business acumen led to the creation of Uncle Larry’s Beef Shtix and Uncle Larry’s Lemonade which became popular at the F-M Redhawks games. He co-authored the “North Dakota Blackjack Book” prompting special attention in Las Vegas… and created his famous pocket market analyst flip coin, Bulls and Bears, which Larry humorously described as a “decision-maker in your pants.” Larry is also credited with renaming the Red River Valley Agri-Business Equipment and Service Exhibition to “Big Iron.”

Agribusiness, NAFB

Bison – The Fastest Growing Meat Industry

Jamie Johansen

nafb-13-30-editedThe fastest-growing sector of the meat industry may not be what you think. The National Bison Association is the answer and they were present at NAFB’s recent Trade Talk to show that they are dedicated to maintaining their position as a niche in the marketplace.

I spoke with Dave Carter, Executive Director of the organization and he talked about their success in connecting with consumers and producers. He also was excited to share that U.S. Senate has officially deemed November 2nd as National Bison Day. Our country has a national bird so why not a national mammal. Proposed legislation has been filed to make the bison our National Mammal.

“We are growing quickly, but we are also a very small niche. And we aim to keep it that way. We are growing because people see there are three big attributes about bison. Number one is it is a very healthy meat. They love the fact that it is low fat, high in protein and high in iron. Second, they love that it is all natural. We always say when you talk about sustainable food, what could be more sustainable then the animal that has been here over a 1,000 years. It is illegal to use growth hormones and we don’t use antibiotics. The third thing and I think the most important is people have discovered it is a delicious meat.”

Dave gives credit to rural media for helping them get the word out about their organization and wholesome product. They were also recently at the National FFA Convention and have a program where their members will sponsor FFA chapters to get started in the bison business. Currently there are about 1,000 bison ranchers across the United States.

There website www.bisoncentral.com has a plethora of materials and educational supplies to inform anyone interested in becoming a producer or consumer. You can find a producer’s handbook, a DVD and classroom curriculum.

Dave also hits on the difference in facilities and shares that they also have a Bison Finder app that will inform you about retail stores or restaurants that sell bison.

Listen to my complete interview with Dave here: Interview with Dave Carter

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Meat, NAFB

BASF Advanced Plant Health and Grower Engagement

Cindy Zimmerman

Advanced plant health and grower engagement were two topics that BASF Crop Protection representatives discussed with reporters at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk.

nafb13-basf-reevesDr. Brianne Reeves is a member of the BASF Plant Health Technical Market team and in that role supports field research efforts and manages technical training for Priaxor® fungicide. Brianne is a DPM – Doctor of Plant Medicine – so she knows quite a bit about plant health and how Xemium® fungicide, the active ingredient in Priaxor fungicide, brings advanced plant health benefits to the table.

“The advanced plant health benefits are advanced growth efficiency, advanced disease control and advanced stress tolerance,” she says, noting that BASF has done hundreds of research projects to show those benefits, such as the “root and shoot” advantages. “Better roots, better shoots, more leaves, greener leaves, more photosynthesis, better yields.” Interview with Dr. Brianne Reeves, BASF

In addition to advancements in plant health, BASF has made a commitment to advancing its partnership with farmers in the field by introducing Innovation Specialists like Kaleb Hellwig to engage with growers and help them manage their operations more effectively.

nafb13-basf-kaleb“It’s not about selling them a product, I make recommendations for competitive products, I make recommendations in the fertility area,” Kaleb says. “So that when they make an application of Priaxor in soybeans or Headline AMP in corn or Twinline in wheat that they get the very highest return.”

Kaleb says BASF has gotten such positive feedback with Innovation Specialists in the field that they will be expanding the program next year. Interview with Kaleb Hellwig, BASF

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Crop Science, NAFB

Update From NCBA at NAFB

Jamie Johansen

nafb-13-16-editedThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk gave us the opportunity to chat with leaders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

President Elect for NCBA, Bob McCan, is from Victoria, TX and he operates a 5th generation purebred commercial herd of Brafords. I spoke with him during the event and he shed some light on trade, immigration and the upcoming convention.

“Market’s right now are adding about $275 to $280 a head to every fed animal that is slaughtered these days. That’s significant and really adding to the bottom line. It’s helping our market and we are getting lots of opportunity with the Trans Pacific Partnership coming together. We are hoping in a few months we will have that finalized and it will knock down a lot of the tariff rates that we have had to contend with in the past.”

Bob said that immigration reform is a top priority for NCBA. He stressed the importance of eliminating a seasonal worker program and with a labor shortage it is important to have workers here on a more permanent basis. Coming from the south, border security is something that hits close to home for Bob and neighboring ranchers. He feels if there is an incentive for them to come over legally then the issue of a secure border is lessoned.

Nashville will serve as the home for the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show held February 4-7, 2014. Bob shared that the entertainment will be grand, the educational opportunities insightful and industry issues diverse.

nafb-13-21-editedListen to my complete interview with Bob here: Interview with Bob McCan

Also during Trade Talk I spoke with Clay Burtrum, who represents Region 4 on the NCBA Executive Committee for the Federation of State Beef Councils. Clay talks about the history behind the Federation, it’s role in the Beef Checkoff and the relationship between them and NCBA.

“It’s our 50th year celebrating the Federation. We are housed under NCBA, but we are our own entity, our own face. We are the grassroots producers behind the Beef Checkoff.”

Education is the focal point of the Beef Checkoff program. Promoting beef to the millennial generation has been the objective and that means turning to social media to get their message out. Clay reminds us that this generation isn’t spending hours shopping for food. They are in there to get what they need for that nights meal. He says we have to have a safe, easily available product that they can cook in a timely manner.

Listen to my complete interview with Clay here: Interview with Clay Burtrum

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, NAFB, NCBA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The U.S. Grains Council is pleased to announce registration is now open for its 11th International Marketing Conference and 54th Annual Membership Meeting Feb. 10-12, 2014.
  • Georgia Peanut Farm Show will be held Jan. 16, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Ga.
  • Archer Daniels Midland Company notes the announcement by the Australian Federal Treasurer that he has made an order prohibiting ADM’s proposed acquisition of GrainCorp Limited.
  • President Barack Obama on Thanksgiving accepted the National Thanksgiving Turkey from National Turkey Federation Chairman John Burkel of Badger, Minnesota.
Zimfo Bytes

AgWalk’s “Farmer’s Prayer”

Melissa Sandfort

HeringtonToday my Aunt Jeanette and I would like to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you to the farmers who have grown our food and for the hands who prepare it every day.

Lord, bless the land You’ve given me,
And may I always know
As I tend each crop and creature
You’re the One who helps them grow.
Grant me strength and wisdom;
Please protect me from all harm,
And thank You for Your gracious gift –
The blessing of a farm.
– Robin Fogle
Photo courtesy of the Beef Checkoff Program

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized