Dr. Temple Grandin at BIVI Swine Health Seminar

Cindy Zimmerman

Nobody talks common sense about animal welfare better than Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University.

If you are in the livestock industry, unless you live in a cave, you have heard of Dr. Grandin. In fact, a decent portion of the general public now knows this amazing woman, thanks to the HBO movie starring Claire Danes which celebrates Temple’s triumph over autism. That movie and her best-selling books have allowed her to get out and talk to the general public about animal welfare issues, something she considers to be very important for the livestock industry to do.

Temple spoke this morning to the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Swine Health Seminar in North Carolina. One of her suggestions about handling pigs humanely and effectively is to walk the pens. “Pigs are visual animals,” she explains. “Walk the pens and teach them to follow you.”

Dr. Grandin has a new book on animal welfare for the industry, called “Improving Animal Welfare: A Practical Approach.” Buy it on Amazon.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Grandin here: Dr. Temple Grandin at BIVI Swine Health Seminar

Check out photos from the BIVI Swine Health Seminar.

Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Livestock, Swine

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • ANIMART, Inc. announces the recent addition of Renee Sternhagen as client services representative of the dairy and livestock division which provides animal health products, supplies and solutions to producers.
  • The American Meat Science Association in cooperation with the National Pork Board will host AMSA PORK 101 Sept. 20-22, 2011, at Iowa State University in Ames.
  • Kathy Rancour, accounting manager for Christiansen Land and Cattle Company, based in Kimball, SD, was elected to serve as the president of the Farm Financial Standards Council.
  • Growers Transplanting, Inc. launched its website as the company celebrates 30 years of industry success.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Clear Case for Cover Crops on CTIC Tour

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Participants on this week’s he 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour in Ohio heard a clear case for cover crops from farmer Allen Dean in Williams County.

    “For several years now we’ve been watching our watersheds when we get these large rainfall events and it’s been interesting to see where we have some type of cover crop, water coming off those watersheds is virtually clean – you could actually drink the water, it’s so clean,” Allen said. He demonstrated the difference to the tour group with jars of water collected off fields after recent rains. He’s holding the jar with water from his fields.

    Dean Farms grows wheat and non-GMO soybeans on 1900 acres where they plant a variety of cover crops, including annual rye, cereal rye, clover and radishes. “We’ve been using radishes for 4-5 years now,” he said. “They’re called a daikon radish and the advantage of radishes is they’ll actually open up the soil, they’ll drill down deep into the soil, they have a long tap root and a lot of ladder roots.” When winter comes, the radishes die and start decomposing and come spring “the soil is clean as far as any type of residue.”

    Interesting interview with Allen Dean here: Farmer Allen Dean

    CTIC 2011 Conservation in Action Tour Photos

    AgWired coverage of the CTIC Indian Creek Watershed Field Tour is sponsored by AGROTAIN
    Audio, Conservation, CTIC

    Traveling Wall Honors Our Military

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I thought this was a cool story to share from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. These bikers are huge supporters of our military men and women and it showed.

    The Traveling Wall by AVTT was on display at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. This wall contains names of those who have lost their life in service to our country, defending our freedom. I met Charlie Weatherly and John Barron both of whom work for AVTT and travel with the exhibit. Outside of the interview with them which you can listen to below John told me that he’s been using ethanol mixed fuel in his motorcycle for years and has never had any problems with it. I had to make sure I asked since my coverage of the rally, mostly on Domestic Fuel, is sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association.

    AVTT (www.avtt.org) is a veteran-owned project that travels the USA to provide a forum for communities to HONOR-RESPECT-REMEMBER all who have sacrificed their lives for our country’s freedom. In so doing, AVTT also honors all Veterans and those currently serving, by letting them know they will never be forgotten. AVTT is funded through sponsorship fees, donations, and sale of merchandise at events. Donations to support AVTT’s mission are qualified charitable tax deductions through The Traveling Wall Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.

    Learn more about the Traveling Wall in my interview: Traveling Wall Interview

    2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photo Album

    Audio, Ethanol

    It’s in the Can

    Melissa Sandfort

    I’ve seen them used as decorations on the front porch, or as bar stools in the shop, or flower planters … but in the early days, these cream cans were actually used for agricultural purposes. It’s just that – a 5-gallon cream can that folks used to set at the end of the driveway and once a week, a truck would come pick them up to take them to the creamery where butter and cheese were made.

    The cream would rise to the top of the can during its fateful ride and any spill or leak from the can was costly to the farmer.

    Some reports I’ve read say the first bulk storage tanks came into existence in the late 1930s.

    Either way, I can’t imagine setting a can of milk at the end of my driveway in the 110-degree heat we’ve been having.

    Until we walk again …

    Uncategorized

    Keeping up with The Andersons on CTIC Tour

    Cindy Zimmerman

    One stop on the 2011 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour where I wish we had spent more time was The Andersons.

    Al Bensch, vice president of northern operations for The Andersons Plant Nutrient Group, spoke on one of the three tour buses as we drove past much of the company’s Maumee, Ohio operations. “We have 27 locations in the fertilizer business – Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida,” Al said. “We handled last year a little over two million tons of fertilizer.”

    The diversified company, which was started in the late 1940’s by Harold Anderson, has various business divisions in addition to plant nutrients, including the grain and ethanol, railcar leasing and repair, turf products production, and consumer retailing industries.

    Listen to some of Al’s comments here: Al Bensch, The Andersons

    We made a very brief stop at the Anderson family compound where we heard from the Plant Nutrient Group president Denny Addis about the Andersons’ commitment to agriculture and the environment. “Production agriculture and care for the environment are not mutually exclusive, they need to work in harmony together,” he told me in an interview. “We’ve got to continue to find more ways to produce more fiber, more food, more energy for the world at the same time make sure we care for the environment.”

    Listen to my interview with Denny here: Denny Addis, The Andersons

    CTIC 2011 Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the CTIC Indian Creek Watershed Field Tour is sponsored by AGROTAIN
    Audio, CTIC

    Relaxing at Sturgis With Good Music

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I’m betting there are a few Toby Keith fans out there in the AgWired community so I thought I’d share a photo from his performance at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally at the Buffalo Chip Campground. After a long day of working with the Renewable Fuels Association on their sponsorship of the rally it’s really nice to kick back and enjoy some good music. I’ve got more photos online, including opening act Poison and from Monday’s bands. Tonight’s feature is Gregg Allman and I plan to be there.

    2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photo Album

    Ethanol, RFA

    Rupert Loves Home Grown Fuel

    Chuck Zimmerman

    His name is Rupert Boneham but everyone knows him as Rupert, winner of Survivor. Rupert is one of the folks I’ve had the pleasure to meet here at the 2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. In the photo he’s being interviewed on the street before the Legends Ride. I ran into him again out here where I’m staying at the Buffalo Chip Campground.

    Rupert has a charitable organization called, “Rupert’s Kids” which is “dedicated to serving an easily overlooked population of youth: those that have become too old for the youth social service system, but are not old enough for the adult social service system. We teach these youth valuable skills and trades, while also empowering them to discover their inner strengths, passions and interests.” I heard him speak about the work his organization is doing and the fact that they’ve never taken any government money. That message alone was well worth bringing to your attention. With donations lagging due to the economy he’s turned to some very creative ways to create funding that includes his own branded video games.

    Rupert is from Indiana and is also a big supporter of home grown fuel like ethanol, one of the sponsors of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

    Listen to my interview with Rupert here: Interview with Rupert

    2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photo Album

    Audio, Education, Ethanol

    Biorefinery Safety

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you think the biggest safety issue is at a biorefinery?” Here’s what you said. 43% said interaction with chemicals, 34% said, slips, grips and falls, 14% chose equipment and 9% other. We’ll be delving into this issue more in a series of stories on Domestic Fuel and appreciate your input!

    Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What do you like best about farm radio?” Your input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

    ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

    ZimmPoll

    National Farm-City Week Symposium Topic Announced

    Melissa Sandfort

    “Childhood Obesity: The School Lunchroom Debate,” will be the 2011 topic of the annual National Farm-City Week Symposium held at the Griffin Gate Marriott, Lexington, Ken., on Thursday, Nov. 17. The public is invited to attend.

    The purpose of this symposium will be to explore the issues around childhood obesity in the United States and how it can be managed through healthy choices made available in the school lunchroom.

    The Symposium begins at 10:30 a.m. EST and will continue until 2 p.m. Discussions from 11 a.m. until noon will be broadcast live by the nationally syndicated AgriTalk radio show, hosted by nationally noted broadcaster, Mike Adams. It will include a lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. with a topic-related speaker.

    Symposium participants and the lunch speaker will be announced later.

    For more information on the National Farm-City Council Symposium on “Childhood Obesity: The School Lunchroom Debate,” contact Holly Fritz at 610.621.2253 or holly.fritz@hbfritz.com.

    The event kicks off National Farm-City Week from Nov. 18-25, ending on Thanksgiving, and celebrates the important partnership between farm and urban residents in providing the nation with a bounty of food, fiber, fuel and a growing list of other products.

    Events