I just got my copy of The Food Security Reader. It is “The Best of Truth About Trade & Technology” with the foreword written by Dean Kleckner and edited by Mary Boote. I have only just skimmed it but if you like what you find at TATT then you will like reading through the stories told in this book. The TATT board has dedicated the book to Dr. Norman Borlaug.
From the start, Truth about Trade & Technology has spread its message of hope and growth. We began a weekly column, produced a weekly economic analysis, launched a website, spoke to journalists, appeared on radio and television, and attended meetings in the United States and abroad. More than a decade later, we can report many successes, such as the passage of new free-trade agreements and the growing acceptance of biotech crops. Yet plenty of tests await us: Agricultural trade remains badly distorted and biotechnology continues to face substantial resistance in Europe and many developing nations. As old battles end, new ones emerge–and our work remains as important and daunting as ever. The Food Security Reader is a chronicle of what we’ve done, a collection of our best columns on a wide range of subjects. Contributors include Michael Allen, Jeff Bidstrup, Mary Boote, Gilbert Arap Bor, Tim Burrack, Reg Clause, Maria Gabriela Cruz, Rosalie Ellasus, Bill Horan, Ken Kamiya, Carol Keiser-Long, Dean Kleckner, Cheryl Koompin, Rajesh Kumar, Darrell McAlexander, Jim McCarthy, Paul Rasgorshek, John Reifsteck, Tim Recker, John Rigolizzo, Jr., Ted Sheely, Al Skogen, and Terry Wanzek.
You can order the book on Amazon.
In The Field
The past four years of my life has been dedicated to agriculture in Central Illinois. Every Tuesday during the planting,
growing and harvest seasons we would catch up with agronomist from different parts of WMBD and WIRL’s listening area to see how things were looking as the growing season progressed.
I was able to develop a great relationship with area agronomists and value the copious amounts of knowledge gained from them. One of my most cherished relationships is with Matt Montgomery. Matt is the former County Director for the Mason County Extension (with the recent extension reorganization his title escapes me), but most importantly he’s always been my “bug man”.
I found it only fitting that Matt was my last in-studio interview this week. We talked about crop conditions, concerns with this years crop – and of course some of the things that we need to look out for this year.
Matt In The Field
The theme this year for farmers Matt says – no matter where they are located – is going to be “SCOUT”. You’ve got to be in there – rooting around – looking for problems and be able to utilize the many tools available to us in that always important tool belt.
John Deere Green Fever Sweepstakes Winners Announced
Derek Burk of Brookville, Ind., was selected as the grand prize winner from more than 121,000 entries in the John Deere Green Fever Sweepstakes. Burk had the choice of a new Ford F-250 Lariat 4×4 pickup and new John Deere 1026R Sub-Compact Utility Tractor with loader or $50,000 (USD) cash. He took the $50,000 cash.
Burk farms corn, soybeans and hay and raises cattle with his grandfather in southeast Indiana and also works as a mechanic for a general contractor. He said he plans to invest some of the money and use the rest to buy a home or additional farmland. His John Deere dealer is Koenig Equipment, Inc., in Oxford, Ohio.
The Green Fever Sweepstakes, which ended Feb. 28, 2011, drew entries from more than 20,000 property owners, farmers/ranchers and commercial landscape contractors in the United States and Canada.
Wrapping Up at World Pork Expo
After torrential downpours over night, it’s pretty quiet here on the last day of World Pork Expo.
We had some serious rain during the day yesterday, but it all cleared up just in time for the bands to start playing and the roasted hogs to come out. National Pork Producers Association CEO Neil Dierks says the expo was excellent this year, especially day one. “We haven’t heard the numbers yet, but we won’t be surprised if it’s not the best first day we’ve had for many, many years – even though it was 94 degrees and about 97 percent humidity,” he said.
Neil says producers are “reasonably pleased” with the current state of the industry, but concerned about issues facing them such as feed availability, getting trade agreements approved and government regulation, especially the proposed GIPSA rule.
Listen to or download my interview with Neil here: NPPC CEO Neil Dierks
BIVI Committed to Swine Industry
“Value through Innovation” is the theme for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) at the World Pork Expo this year and the company is proud of its commitment to helping pork producers.
I stopped by the BIVI exhibit at the trade show yesterday and talked with Tim Bettington (right), executive director of the company’s swine division and Randy Buller (left), senior associate director for the division.
“BI is very committed to the swine industry,” Tim told me. “We have several other species under our umbrella but the swine industry is the key one for us. We’ve grown up as a swine organization and globally swine is the number one sales driver for us.” Tim says they are in the process of completing an R&D facility in Germany that will complement the facility they have in Ames, Iowa that has been very successful in developing the company’s PRRS vaccine.
Listen to or download my interview with Tim here: Tim Bettington, BIVI
Randy says there is a great deal of interest among producers in the 3FLEX vaccine they introduced just last year. “It is the only product in the swine industry that mixes three vaccines in a similar platform,” said Randy. The 3FLEX consists of three vaccines: Ingelvac CircoFLEX®, Ingelvac MycoFLEX® and Ingelvac® PRRS MLV to address circa virus, mycoplasma, and PRRS in one shot.
Listen to or download my interview with Randy here: Randy Buller, BIVI
2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album
Whole Hog Courtesy of Novus International
The crowd formed early and eagerly awaited the Novus International hog cooked by Lynch BBQ. Just before slicing and picking the pig the team gathered for a photo.
It only took a few minutes to get this hog into trays and ready for serving. I sampled and can’t say enough about how tender, juicy and tasty this pork was. It was just the right way to finish off a long day at World Pork Expo.
So we’re now on location for the final day. Check out the our photos. They’ve been freshly updated this morning.
2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album
Peace, Love and Pork at World Pork Expo
The folks at Automated Production Systems led a peaceful pig protest at the 2011 World Pork Expo Thursday with their 60s-themed roast pig.
With cries of “Fork More Pork” in different languages, the AP team really outdid itself this year. The company, which specializes in swine production equipment such as feeders, ventilation and flooring, has a different theme for their pig every year. Previous years have included Mexican Fiesta and Elvis, but this one will be hard to top.
Notice that the roast pig is sporting peace sign earrings and shooting a peace sign with its cloven hoof! The video shows just how much the AP folks really get into their theme.
2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album
Zimfo Bytes
- The AgChat Foundation announced details of its second annual Agvocacy 2.0 Conference, Aug. 22-23 in Nashville, Tenn.
- The Agricultural Retailers Association is currently accepting nominations for the Agricultural Retailer of the Year Award.
- Online voting is open for the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest hosted by American Farmland Trust. Cast your vote for your favorite market.
- The Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review has selected Wilt Public Relations as its strategic communication partner.
Lynch BBQ Going Whole Hog at World Pork Expo
BBQ is what’s cooking at World Pork Expo. This is the best smelling show I’ve been to this year! Here’s Scott Beaton, Lynch BBQ. He’s been cooking this hog since about six o’clock this morning. I visited with him but all I got on the spices side was, “our secret seasonings.” Okay. This pig will be served this afternoon at the Novus International tent.
It’s the sixth year for Scott to be cooking at World Pork Expo. He’s a big Minnesota Vikings fan and has had a chance to cook for them which was a real highlight in his cooking career. Scott also says that the pork industry is vital to their business and to the state of Iowa. Scott Beaton Interview
2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album
World Pork Expo Junior National
We’ve been talking nutrition, politics and promotion but for a big part of the crowd coming out to World Pork Expo it’s about showing pigs. The World Pork Expo Junior National Show is taking place and I wandered through to take some photos.
If you’ve never been to a show then watch the short video clip. I saw two show rings in action this afternoon and people were having a good time.
2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album