Cattlemen’s Beef Board Loses Tom Ramey

Chuck Zimmerman

Tom RameyThis weekend I learned that Tom Ramey has resigned from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Tom has been involved with the CBB for more than 17 years, most recently as CEO. I am shocked and saddened. But knowing at least some of what Tom has been going through as CEO in the last year or so I can understand. As the Beef Board Blogger for the last 6 years I have had the honor and pleasure to work with Tom and his staff. I think very highly of the man and wish him and his family the absolute best as he moves to the next step in a fine career. I also look forward to continuing to work with the CBB staff. Polly, you’ve got a full plate! ZimmComm supports America’s beef producers and the Beef Checkoff. Just call on us anytime to help in any way we can.

Here’s the official statement from CBB on Tom’s resignation:

Statement By CBB Executive Committee

From Wesley Grau, Chairman, CBB Executive Committee

June 29, 2011

After more than 17 years of committed service to the beef checkoff, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) Executive Committee yesterday reluctantly accepted Chief Executive Officer Tom Ramey’s resignation. Tom served as both the Cattlemen’s Beef Board chief financial officer and, most recently, as chief executive officer. In his role as CEO, Tom was responsible for developing and leading a team of experienced and dedicated individuals who work every day for the checkoff. Tom also worked tirelessly to provide detailed oversight of checkoff expenditures, and recently spearheaded the effort to rewrite Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s operating guidelines to clarify contractor responsibilities.

The Executive Committee has asked Polly Ruhland to act as interim CEO for the present time. After more than 20 years in the beef industry, Polly was most recently CBB’s vice president of planning and evaluation, and before that served in several senior staff positions at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Through this experience, she understands both the beef checkoff oversight and contractor roles, and is highly qualified to help us move the checkoff forward in its goal to build demand for beef.

We appreciate that Tom’s decision to resign was a personal one for him and his family, and we thank him for his dedication to the nation’s farmers and ranchers through his service to the beef checkoff.

Ag Leader, Beef

God Bless America

Chuck Zimmerman

The Salute to America celebration in Jefferson City included a bird show. The star was this bald eagle. They made their appearance before the evening concert series. We heard all about hawks, owls and eagles with this one being last on the program.

“This program features our country’s symbol – the bald eagle,” said Walt Crawford, Director of the World Bird Sanctuary, based in St. Louis. “We salute our country, our veterans and the eagle as a living emblem of the beauty and vitality of Missouri’s natural resources.”

The main entertainment on the stage in front of the Missouri Capitol Building was the Little River Band. Cindy and I saw them in Tampa at Commodity Classic. The band still plays their classics like The Other Guy, etc. I think they appeal to a wide audience and especially age range.

The big star of the show on Independence Day is the fireworks and they did not disappoint us in Jefferson City. The fireworks are set off across the Missouri River from the state capitol building and there are people in pretty much every square inch of ground you can watch from on both sides of the river.

The Capitol City boasts one of the largest fireworks displays in the State! Plan to bring the entire family to watch the spectacular from the north lawn of the State Capitol. Be sure to tune in your radio to listen to the choreographed music accompanying the display on Jeff 104. This is the highlight of the Salute to America Festival and you won’t want to miss it!

Here are some photos from this evenings activities: 2011 Salute To America Celebration

Uncategorized

Two New Lawnmowers

Melissa Sandfort

If you’ve been along with me on this AgWalk, you may have come to believe I spent most of my early childhood years riding in tractors and checking the cows with my dad. Truth be told, I did do a lot of that but I also spent a large amount of time in the hay loft of an old barn with a pen and paper writing some of my first poems. I was about 8 at the time and that may have just been the beginning to my career.

I’d oftentimes write about horses. I dreamed of horses. I desired horses. I adored horses. I wanted a horse!

Dad, on the other hand, didn’t do any of those things. He’s actually quite fearful of them. So growing up, I was never able to have a horse, despite my numerous requests (about once a day).

Just last weekend, we got these two new lawnmowers. They’re certainly not green but they’re definitely beautiful, and they are keeping the weeds and grass down in the other acre and a half of our front yard.

Call it repressed childhood … or whatever … but I like horses and we wanted our son to grow up with animals. Why go to all that hassle when we already have Black Kitty you ask? I’m just not a dog person, and our son can’t show Black Kitty in 4-H!

We spent the better part of a weekend putting fence up before these gals arrived (I’ll write more about the joys of putting up fence) and so far, Thelma and Louise are enjoying their new surroundings.

I even got back in the saddle on “my” horse, Thelma. Maybe we should’ve picked easier names because when our son says Thelma it sounds like “welma”.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Merck’s animal health division announced that it will begin using the new name, Merck Animal Health.
  • Simplex Manufacturing Co. announced that they have acquired the granular spreader product line from Heli-Ap.
  • Trimble introduced its new high-accuracy Global Navigation Satellite System compatible correction service. The Trimble® CenterPoint™ RTX™ correction service can offer 4 centimeter (1.5 inch) repeatable accuracy and will be available initially through Trimble’s Agriculture Division.
  • Mitas held a ceremony marking the groundbreaking of construction at the former Winnebago Industries Charles City plant, which is being converted into a farm tire factory and which will begin production early next year.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Registration Open For NAFB Convention

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Registration is now open for the 2011 National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. This will be the 67th convention and it will be held November 9-11 at the Westin Crown Center. You can register online now.

    This year’s Convention, iNSIGHT for Agriculture…Every Day, will combine networking opportunities, more professional improvement sessions, hot topics and newsmakers, and of course Trade Talk.

    Already on the docket for the NAFB/NAMA shared session on Wednesday, November 9 is Elanco President Jeff Simmons. Jeff will explore the myth that consumers don’t want modern, efficient technology used in food production—tapping into the growing wave of food insecurity threatening more than 1 billion people around the world.

    NAFB

    Get FREEDOM And Learn Truth About Ethanol

    Chuck Zimmerman

    During the 2011 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop attendees got a chance to see the new documentary from Josh & Rebecca Tickell. I first met Josh during a National Biodiesel Conference before he produced his award winning film, “Fuel.” Together with Rebecca they have now produced a film that should open a lot of people’s eyes about the myths surrounding ethanol. It is called “FREEDOM.”

    FREEDOM is a one-hour documentary that takes a hard look at America’s perilous and unsustainable addiction to foreign oil. It explores the role that Ethanol plays as a homegrown alternative that will boost the domestic economy, create jobs and reduce our need to rely on dangerous and unstable parts of the world for our fuel. Filmmakers Josh Tickell and his wife Rebecca set out on a journey to take a fresh look at Ethanol and try to separate the myth from the hyperbole.

    Following the screening which was viewed in a packed room at the FEW, I spoke with them about their latest project.

    Rebecca says the devastation in the Gulf of Mexico last year spurred them to look into more alternatives to oil. So they did some checking to find out the truths about our main alternative fuel source, ethanol, and had their eyes opened when they looked into the myths surrounding the industry and the fuel. They spoke to experts on all sides of the debate including the authors of anti-ethanol studies.

    They chose the title, “FREEDOM,” because event though we were promised by our current President in his election campaign that he would bring our troops home from the Middle East, we have actually increased the number of our soldiers there. Developing our own renewable fuel choices would give us freedom from that situation. They also point out the complete lack of a fuel choice at the pump and say that’s not freedom either.

    The couple is embarking on a 30-city FREEDOM bus tour to promote their new film and you can see the schedule and find out more about the project on their website. You can watch and purchase the film there. They are producing a 90 minute theatrical version of the film too.

    Josh/Rebecca Tickell Interview

    You may want to consider purchasing the film to show to your neighbors and friends or your favorite skeptic. How about sending a copy to your elected leaders? It’s great for generating conversation!

    2011 FEW Photo Album

    Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop was made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

    Audio, Education, Ethanol

    Watermelon Pig

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Yesterday I posted grilling ideas but let’s not forget some other holiday foods. There are too many to mention. So I’ll keep it simple. How about a watermelon pig? No cooking required.

      Materials

    • 1 Round seedless watermelon
    • 1 Pipe cleaner
    • 1 Piece of pink foam craft sheet
    • 3 Buttons (one large pink and two blue or substitute blueberries)
    • Melon baller and a bowl
    • Toothpicks or straight pins
      Instructions

    • Wash the watermelon. Using the round seedless watermelon, cut a ¼ inch slice off the bottom to provide a stable base.
    • Cut the melon 2/3 from the bottom and about 4″ away from the front, then slice down to detach top. See picture below for an easy reference. Place this leftover rind piece to the side for later.
    • Use a melon baller to cut out melon pieces from the inside of the main piece and place aside in a bowl. Gently scoop out remaining watermelon bits to create a clean “bowl” for serving the watermelon balls.
    • Coil the pipe cleaner to create the tail, and cut ears from the pink foam craft sheet. You can also use a small circle of the rind for the snout, and if you prefer, top with a large pink button. Cut a small circle to mount the snout on from the leftover rind piece. Attach the tail, eyes and snout with straight pins or toothpicks.
    • To make the pig hooves, cut four square shapes from the leftover rind piece. At the bottom of each square, make a triangle cut to define the hoof. Attach the hooves with toothpicks or pins.
    • Fill the bowl with the melon balls. Try adding other fruits or berries for more color and enjoy!

    My only problem with this recipe is that by the time I’ve cut up the melon and “sampled,” there isn’t anything to make melon balls with. Kind of like when I picked strawberries or blackberries as a kid and my Mom complained that I was eating more than I picked.

    Thank you National Watermelon Promotion Board for the recipe! Follow them on Twitter.

    Ag Groups, Food

    NAFB Foundation 2011 Scholarship Winners

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation is once again awarding scholarships and just announced their 2011 recipients. Here they are.

    Selected for the Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship of $5,000 is Carah Hart of the University of Missouri-Columbia. Carah is a junior, majoring in Agricultural Journalism, and has been patiently awaiting the year when she could apply for the scholarship—as she’s dreamed for some time of becoming
    a Farm Director for a Midwest station or network.

    Columbia University Graduate Student, Nathan Vickers, is a recipient of one of two $4,000 scholarships. Nathan plans to graduate from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York in June of 2012. He received his undergraduate degree in Communications/Journalism from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

    Nathan’s family farm roots run deep in Southwest Missouri and he is excited about the prospect of applying his hard-work ethic toward his goal of becoming an ag journalist on the national stage.

    The Foundation’s second $4,000 awardee is Texas Tech Junior Lauren Bogel. Lauren, who is majoring in Agricultural Communications, grew up on her family crop farm and cattle and horse ranch in New Mexico.

    When she is home she works with the family company to manage and maintain farm equipment, and also has her own detailing business. During her time at Texas Tech, she has worked with Ramar Communications and Ag Talk 950 in Lubbock, getting experience in reporting, writing, sales, editing, scheduling and research.

    You can read more about these scholarship recipients in the NAFB Foundation newsletter (pdf).

    Education, NAFB

    4th of July Grilling

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Grilling. It’s what will be done this weekend at ZimmComm. This is a photo of a recent grilled meal of mine.

    With the 4th of July weekend upon us and I’m guessing many of you are already on vacation, it’s time to think about what you’re going to grill. If you are looking for ideas I thought I’d share some links where you can find lots of them:

    If you need some pointers on grilling then just go to the second largest search engine, YouTube, where you you’ll find great videos like this one from BBQ Pit Boys Old-Time Barbecue and Grilling Food Show. Feel free to share your grilling ideas in comments.

    Food

    GIPSA Debate on AgWired

    Cindy Zimmerman

    A story about comments Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) made this week regarding USDA’s proposed GIPSA livestock marketing regulations has generated a flood of comments, thanks to an organized campaign by R-CALF USA.

    The Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America, better known as R-CALF, took exception to the senator’s remarks during a Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing on the State of U.S. Livestock and sent out a communique to members encouraging them to make comments on the post, calling it a “rare opportunity to defend the GIPSA rule against packer lackeys.”

    R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard says Sen. Roberts made “a personal attack against GIPSA Administrator Dudley Butler in an attempt to kill the GIPSA rule” so he returned fire with his own personal attack on the senator:

    “Senator Pat Roberts made the most dishonorable and repulsive opening statement that anyone could possibly make at a congressional hearing. Whether you support USDA’s proposed GIPSA rule or not, every American should be appalled at Senator Robert’s theatrics. He lied. He outright lied. Senator Roberts knows, and all his staff knows, that GIPSA Administrator Dudley Butler NEVER said that the proposed GIPSA rule is a lawyer’s dream.”

    There have been ethical concerns raised about Butler being in charge of livestock regulations, since he is a trial lawyer who has sued meat and poultry companies and the referenced quote is from a speech Butler made in August 2009 to the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM), where he said “When you have a term like ‘unfair, unreasonable or undue prejudice,’ that’s a plaintiff lawyer’s dream.”

    The proposed GIPSA rule, which would have a significant impact on the marketing and production of livestock and poultry, is obviously a contentious and divisive topic for the industry but it would help if there were more constructive dialogue and less name calling.

    GIPSA, Livestock