Brownfield Announces Charter Ohio Affiliates

Chuck Zimmerman

Brownfield Ag News announced the charter affiliates for its Ohio network today. Local ag coverage will be handled by Dave Russell. Meanwhile, new Brownfield farm broadcaster Meghan Grebner is getting some in-studio training at the company headquarters in Jefferson City, MO. Cindy and I had dinner with Meghan earlier this week and we look forward to her continued contributions to AgWired! Meghan is pictured on the left of Brownfield farm broadcaster Julie Harker.

Ohio Brownfield Ag News is pleased to introduce its outstanding line-up of Charter Affiliates. These radio stations are committed to serving the agricultural audience in their respective areas and are carrying Ohio Brownfield Ag News radio programs: WERT-AM 1220, Van Wert; WKSD-FM 99.7, Paulding; WLOH-FM 104.5, Lancaster; WLOH-AM 1320, Lancaster; WLOH-FM 99.3, Logan; WCSM-FM 96.7, Celina; WMTR-FM 96.1, Archbold; WFOB-AM 1430, Fostoria; WMVR-FM 105.5, Sidney; WVNU-FM 97.5, Greenfield; WKFM-FM 96.1, Huron; and WKTN-FM 95.3, Kenton.

Ohio Brownfield Ag News radio network provides news, markets, weather, event coverage and feature and commentary programming relevant to those who live and work on farms and in rural communities in Ohio, and to those with an interest in food and fiber production in the Buckeye state.

Ohio Brownfield is committed to local, on-the-ground coverage of agriculture, with Veteran Farm Broadcaster Dave Russell living and reporting in the Buckeye state. With the backing of an award winning team of nine other full-time farm broadcasters, two of whom are dedicated to market coverage, Russell has more time to focus on Ohio agriculture.

Media

GIPSA Heating Up

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s been almost exactly a year since USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) published a controversial proposed rule that would fundamentally change the way livestock is marketed in this country, and those opposed to it remain hopeful that the proposal itself will be fundamentally changed – or just eliminated.

Colin Woodall with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says they are encouraged that the U.S. House of Representatives could vote soon on the 2012 agriculture appropriations bill, which includes language to defund the proposed GIPSA rule. “So we are really working hard to make sure we preserve that language,” Colin says in the latest Beltway Beef Commentary. He encourages cattle producers and others in the industry to contact their Congressional representatives and send a signal to the secretary that we’re “serious about this rule being a huge burden on cattle producers.”

USDA’s official position on the appropriations language is that “The final rule has not yet been published and any concerns about the rule are better addressed through the standard rulemaking process than through an appropriations rider.”

Earlier this month, American Farm Bureau Appropriations Specialist R.J. Karney said they also believe funding for the rule should stay in place. “We want USDA to be able to review the 60,000 comments that were provided and also continue the economic analysis regarding this procedural rule,” he said. Colin explained that NCBA has a long-standing relationship with AFBF, “so this is not an issue that NCBA is now breaking a relationship with Farm Bureau, this is specific to trying to make sure that everybody understands exactly what this GIPSA rule does…take away marketing opportunities for cattle producers.”

Pork producers also remain concerned about the proposed rule. “The rule is so vague, we don’t know where it stands,” said National Pork Producers Council past president Sam Carney of Iowa at World Pork Expo last week. He says they are anxious to see what the USDA economic analysis will say, but that is not expected to be out until the fall.

Listen to or download Sam’s comments here: Iowa pork producer Sam Carney

AFBF, GIPSA, Livestock, NCBA, NPPC

Increasing Pork Producer Profitability

Chuck Zimmerman

The master carver working on a freshly roasted pig, pictured on the right, is Scott Moore, National Sales Manager, Pork, Novus International. Scott is from North Carolina. That was some very fine roasted pork he was preparing for us at World Pork Expo last week!

In his area Scott says that although the challenges producers have in his area aren’t unique they are more accentuated than other areas due to higher costs for grain brought in from the midwest. “If in fact $7 to $8 grain costs in the midwest is a problem, $9 to $10 costs is even more of a problem on the east coast,” he says. For this reason Scott says the new Novus Accelerating Finishing Profitability program contains specific elements to help producers deal with challenges, especially on a regional basis. Scott Moore Interview

2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim
Animal Health, Audio, Novus International, World Pork Expo

Hidden Profit Robbers Hurt Pork Producers

Cindy Zimmerman

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) hosted a media event on the last day of World Pork Expo that focused on Keeping Food Safe and Profits Growing.

Controlling enteric diseases caused by ileitis and Salmonella can help both keep food safe and pork producer profits growing. “Enteric diseases are sometimes below the threshold of detection,” said Kent Schwartz, DVM with Iowa State University. “Feed is the largest input into the cost of production and anything that comprises intestinal function has a propensity to cost money and among many other factors are infectious diseases.”

Dr. Schwartz recommends that producers keep good records on animals and determine whether they are achieving their potential. “Lawsonia and Salmonella are very common infections,” he said. “These agents can cause disease that are not necessarily visual but can impact feed to gain and we do have for those two agents very effective vaccines that can take them out of the equation.”

Listen to or download an interview with Dr. Schwartz here: Dr. Kent Schwartz

Since control of Salmonella is a food safety concern, BIVI senior veterinarian John Kolb says it is is something producers can and should address. “Salmonella’s always going to be there,” he said. “One more thing that we can do to reduce the amount of Salmonella in the pig itself, is use vaccination.”

Dr. Kolb recommends producers get their vet involved and determine when exposure to Salmonella starts and make sure the vaccine gets in ahead of it.

Listen to or download an interview with Dr. Kolb here: John Kolb with BIVI

2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim
Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

Beef Rules ZimmPoll

Chuck Zimmerman

We’ve got some beef eaters in this community! In answer to our question, “What’s your favorite meat?” an overwhelming majority said Beef at 39%. Here’s how the other choices fared in order. Fish, 15%; Chicken, 12%; Pork, 10%; All of the above, 10%; Lamb, 5%; Venison, 5% and Other, 4%. I’ve spoken with some AgWired community members who voted that told me they voted for beef but definitely eat other meat choices. We just thought we’d ask the question this way to see if you had a favorite and it sure looks like you do. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Speaking of beef, the Beef Checkoff works with Chef Dave Zino to provide Beef, It’s What’s For Dinner how-to videos to consumers:

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Will ethanol be an issue in the presidential race?” Let us know what you think. And if you have any questions you want to suggest for future ZimmPolls please let us know.

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

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Skyline Exhibits has issued a new white paper: “Best Trade Show Marketing Practices.”
  • Bayer CropScience announced that Jim Blome has been named as President/CEO and Head of Crop Protection for the North American region, effective July 1, 2011.
  • AgraQuest Inc. announced a new use for REQUIEM 25EC insecticide in leafy vegetables in California authorized under FIFRA Section 2(ee).
  • The Global Harvest Initiative published a new policy issue brief which highlights the importance of science-based technologies in sustainably addressing the mounting challenges of global hunger and food security in order to feed an anticipated nine billion people globally by 2050.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Novus Sees Growth In Enzyme Use

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Novus International has seen a big growth in the use of enzymes and the outlook is for that growth to continue. I learned this while speaking with Gary Hayen at last week’s World Pork Expo.

    Gary is the global product business manager for the enzyme and fermentation products business area. I asked him to provide an overview of how important enzymes are for the feedstock industry. He says, “For cost efficiency and nutrient utilization, enzymes are going to play a key role in being able to help the producer obtain the efficiency and cost effectiveness they need.” Basically enzymes play a role in freeing up some of the energy and protein/nutrition values of feed ingredients that you wouldn’t get without using them. Gary provides some specific examples of how this works in my interview with him. He says that it’s a real growth opportunity in the coming years. Gary says that they can show an up to $3 return on each animal for use of enzymes. Gary Hayen Interview

    2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim
    Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Novus International, World Pork Expo

    Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Registration Deadline Nearing

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Don’t forget to register by June 24 for the AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Conference which will be held August 22-23 in Nashville, TN. If you are passionate about agriculture and want to learn more about how you can use social media to “tell your story” then this conference is for you. The conference is open to 75 people (production ag, hobby farming, agribusiness, Extension, commodity organizations, academia or another sector of the industry). You have a chance to win a full or partial scholarship or other prize if you enter your ag photo in the AgChat Foundation 2012 Calendar contest by posting to the AgChat Foundation Facebook page.

    Are you alumni of the first Agvocacy 2.0 Training? You can apply too! We will be accepting up to 25 returning attendees who provide names of first-time applicants they “endorse”. We think this is a great way to get a mixture of “pros” and “newbies” together to learn from each other, while also identifying those who are just starting out in their social media ventures.

    This year’s conference will include an extra half-day of training, beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday and concluding at noon on Tuesday. Registration is $365 and will include a free t-shirt. You can apply to attend the conference at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/agvocacy-2dot0-conference. The application process will run from June 1 to June 24 and those selected will be notified in mid-July. Those chosen to attend are encouraged to seek sponsorships from local businesses and organizations to help cover conference and travel costs.

    More details about the Agvocacy 2.0 Conference will be posted here, as well as on Facebook and Twitter, over the coming months and make sure to check follow the hashtag #ACFC11 on Twitter for the most up-to-date information!

    Uncategorized

    Give Chatterbarn Feedback and Sign Up

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Are you ready to Chatter? If so, then Chatterbarn is looking for some feedback during their beta test before going fully “live.” So go ahead and register for your launch day invitation. Feel free to post your comments and thoughts here too and we’ll pass them along. What do you think about the idea and need for this type of social networking kind of environment for agriculture? Is one needed? Would you use it? You know. All those kinds of questions.

    Chatterbarn is the destination point for rural living and everything agriculture. The ChatterBoard connects you locally, to your neighbors and community. It connects you around the world to your customers, vendors and business associates. Teams are your own personal groups that can be created to invite those that you interact with the most for quick access to discussion, knowledge sharing, and interaction. Hubs are public information centers sponsored by businesses in the agricultural industry. These information centers provide product information, training webinars, video conferences, and other critical information from companies around the world that impact your life the most.

    The Chatterbarn Exchange is a powerful real- time marketplace that not only allows for sellers to post items for sale, but is unique in the fact that it can be buyer-controlled as well. This means that if you need something specific, even in a certain amount of time, you can submit a request with a price range that you are willing to pay, and Chatterbarn will match your request with someone that has what you are looking for and notify you immediately by email and/or text. The Chatterbarn Exchange not only facilitates the exchange of products, but also the exchange of information.

    The third component of the Chatterbarn Exchange allows you to submit questions into the network, which can be responded to by others, to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and information throughout the industry. You will use the Chatter Button throughout the site to make things happen. It will help you post your comments to the Chatterboard and submit your items to the Chatterbarn Exchange. So, are you ready to Chatter?

    Subscribe to the Chatterblog, find ’em on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

    Agribusiness, Internet, Social Networking

    NAFB Makes Interim Leadership Decisions

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The board of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting has made some decisions regarding the currently unfilled positions in the organization of president and executive director.

    Tom Steever, Brownfield Network, sent out the following update:

    As a result of Lindsay’s tragic death, with Board approval, I’ll serve out the year as President-Elect and also assume the responsibilities of NAFB President. Then at the start of 2012, I’ll assume the office of President as I normally would have. That will also allow for candidates to surface for the office of NAFB National Vice President to be elected at the annual convention in November when current Vice President Mark Oppold will be considered at that time for President Elect.

    Moving on to other matters, I want to personally welcome NAFB veteran and Hall of Fame inductee Gene Millard to the temporary position of NAFB interim executive director. Gene has agreed to work for us part time as a staff point person in the executive director search and also to assist in securing a new office location for NAFB. There are several factors that led us to a decision to move our headquarters to a new location actually less than a mile from our current one.

    It has certainly been a difficult year for NAFB, so Tom and the rest of the board members and staff have had their hands full in dealing with a very unprecedented situation. We wish them the best of luck moving the office and continuing the search for a new executive director.

    NAFB