Chuck Leavell and Sterling Microphones

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m sure you remember Chuck Leavell from stories we’ve done due to his involvement with New Holland. I haven’t heard from Chuck in a while. Then this evening I got my Mix Magazine e-newsletter and there’s an ad featuring Chuck for Sterling Microphones. Maybe ZimmComm should look into these further. What do you think? Does a tree farming rock and roller know what he’s talking about?

As you should know, he’s the piano man. At least in my mind (sorry Billy Joel). Here’s an associated video clip you farm podcasters might enjoy.

Equipment

USDA Wants Input on Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

Melissa Sandfort

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is requesting comment on the creation of a voluntary National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement that would assist all segments of the leafy green industry in meeting commercial food quality and safety requirements.

To reflect the different climates, production practices and markets handling leafy green produce, USDA is proposing that there be eight regional zones represented on the Board. Representatives from these zones, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, would form a Board to manage the Agreement. The Board would include 26 representatives – 12 handlers, 10 farmers (at least two of which must be small farmers), one importer, one retailer, one food service representative and one member of the public.

“We are asking for extensive public participation with input from farmers and handlers as well as the public to develop a comprehensive, voluntary agreement that will meet the needs of everyone,” said AMS Administrator Rayne Pegg. “This agreement is a proposal at this point and we encourage your comments over the next 90 days. We will analyze the comments and decide how or whether to proceed with an agreement.”

Hear Administrator Rayne Pegg in radio interviews and a podcast below.

Radio Interview #1
Radio Interview #2
Radio Interview #3
Podcast

Audio, USDA

Agri-blogging Highway Ends (or at least Detours) for Davis

John Davis

My Dear Friends,

It looks like I have come to an end of my agri-blogging highway for AgWired.com. Well, maybe not an end, but at least a detour. For the next year, I won’t be able to provide you with periodic updates as I have accepted a new job.

I have been offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to Afghanistan to help the Afghans start a radio journalism/production program, so they can get good information to the people of that country and not just what some mullah wants to tell them. Don’t worry about my safety; I’ll be warm and safe and dry in the cozy confines of Kandahar Air Base, protected by the finest collection of fighting men and women the world has ever seen. I only hope that my efforts will make their jobs a little easier and help Afghanistan recover from decades of war and strife.

In the meantime, I hope to check in from time to time and give you a glimpse of our efforts there.

I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated Chuck’s and Cindy’s efforts and opportunities they have afforded me. They are true friends. I also feel confident that between them and their pool of talented, sophisticated freelance journalists, they’ll continue to educate the world about the importance of American farmers and ranchers.

Thank you again for your readership, and I hope we can see each other again down that agri-blogging highway.

John

Uncategorized

New Seed Traits Should Improve Nutrient Utilization

Chuck Zimmerman

Improving nitrogen/nutrient utilization (45%) was the top choice in answer to the ZimmPoll question, “What should the next seed traits focus on?” That was followed by drought tolerance at 23%, improve food/fiber profiles 14%, improve current traits 9% and other 9%. If you selected “other” what would you suggest? So there you go researchers. Let’s get with it and bring on some new traits!

Our next ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Do you believe in man made climate change?” I was going to use the term global warming but now we have found out that cooling is going on too so the current buzz term on this is climate change. Let us know what you think and thank you for participating.

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

  • The Scientist has named DuPont as the No. 1 “Best Place to Work” among large companies in the magazine’s 9th annual survey.
  • Due to the rising prices of raw materials, Mitas has announced a price increase of all of its products.
  • A new website has been launched for Dow AgroSciences REFUGE ADVANCED powered by SmartStax.
  • Pfizer Animal Health announced its new U.S. web portal to better engage and connect with its customers and to create an interactive community for practicing and student veterinarians.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Meat MythCrushers

    Chuck Zimmerman

    There are a lot of myths about eating meat. They’ve all been crushed by Meat MythCrushers! Get the truth.

    The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) in conjunction with American Meat Institute (AMI), is pleased to announce the launch of the “Meat MythCrushers” campaign, an effort to reconnect Americans to modern food production and to “crush” some of today‟s more popular myths associated with meat and poultry.

    The campaign is centered around a new website, www.MeatMythCrushers.com, that features twelve videos with AMSA academic experts who clearly and concisely debunk myths for consumers. A companion brochure, including detailed scientific references to support their statements, is also available on the website. You can also like them on Facebook.

    This video features @iTweetMeat. Follow Chris Raines. He’s good. Really.

    Ag Groups, Food, Video

    Common Sense Coalition Talk Radio

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Common Sense Coalition Talk Radio is alive and well. What was the Derry Brownfield Show has made a metamorphosis after his passing away and host Beth Schoenberg is carrying on the duties.

    It’s:

    Straight Talk With A Knack For Seeing Things As They Really Are

    The CommonSense Coalition is heard daily across America bringing our common sense approach to listeners. Join us as we take on big government, mega-corporations and environmental extremists. From the stock market to the stock yards, from greedy oil companies to the everyday concerns of our listeners, no topic is too hot to handle.

    Like ’em on Facebook.

    Media

    Farmers Suing Army Corps Over Levee Breach

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Over 100,000 acres of prime southeast Missouri farmland is under water today after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers blew up a levee on the Mississippi River Monday night to save the town of Cairo, Illinois from flooding. The action was taken after attempts to stop it were exhausted by Missouri officials. The picture is a screen shot of the video showing the explosions on the levee.

    Now 25 farmers have joined in a class action lawsuit against the Corps contending that “the property rights of the farmers and landowners under the 5th Amendment to the Constitution were violated when a 15 foot high wall of water was released and flooded their property.” The Corps itself estimates damage to property in the path of the Birds Point levee at more than $300 million, including about 100 homes and more than 100,000 acres of farmland for corn, wheat and soybeans.

    Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO Gary Marshall says the action will “not only decimate this year’s crop, but the sand and silt left behind will impede farmers for years to come. Our efforts will now focus on finding ways to identify federal and state support for growers in the spillway area.”

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is pledging help. “Notwithstanding the fact that this was a man-made initiative to breach the levee, it was a result of Mother Nature, so the crop insurance protections will be available to those landowners, both this year and most likely next year,” he told farm broadcasters in Washington DC this week.

    *POST UPDATE – AUDIO*
    Meghan Grebner (WMBD/WIRL Peoria) is in DC at NAFB’s Washington Watch and sent the audio of Vilsack’s comments about the levee. Listen to or download here: Secretary Vilsack Levee Comments

    Audio, Corn, USDA

    Do You AGree

    Chuck Zimmerman

    There’s a new ag policy group in town. Welcome to AGree.

    Today eight of the world’s leading foundations launched AGree, a new initiative that will tackle long-term food and agriculture policy issues confronting the nation and the world as the population continues to grow and resources become ever-more constrained.

    AGree is launching at a pivotal moment for food and agriculture policy. Over the next four decades there will be an additional 2.6 billion people on Earth to feed—a 38 percent population increase from today—in addition to the 925 million people who currently suffer under-nutrition or hunger. Simultaneously, the world faces a limited amount of easily accessible arable land, increasing pressures on freshwater quality and availability and accelerating environmental degradation.

    Solutions to these challenges will require best-in-class research, comprehensive analysis and cross-sector dialogue—resources productively brought together for the first time under the AGree initiative. AGree will fill a crucial void in current agriculture research and discussions that frequently do not consider solutions across multiple sectors such as environment, energy, rural economies, and health.

    AGree’s mission to nurture dialogue among diverse opinions on agriculture issues is embodied by the leaders of the initiative: Dan Glickman, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture under President Bill Clinton and a former congressman from Kansas for 18 years; Gary Hirshberg, chairman, president and “CE-Yo” of Stonyfield Farm; Jim Moseley, former deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture under President George W. Bush and Indiana farmer for more than 40 years; and, Emmy Simmons, former assistant administrator for Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade at the U.S. Agency for International Development and a board member for several organizations engaged in international agriculture and global development.

    AGree is funded by Ford Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and The Walton Family Foundation.

    So what do you think about this new organization?

    Ag Groups, Farm Policy

    United We Eat

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I’m getting ready for the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit. It’s time to head back out on the agriblogging highway.

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance will host its tenth annual Stakeholders Summit May 5-6, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia. The Summit will bring together food and farm industry leaders to reflect on the challenges of the past decade and new opportunities to strengthen agriculture advocacy efforts in the future. The Summit is truly a one-of-a-kind event that is attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislators, universities and government agencies.

    My coverage of the event is being sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and United Soybean Board. I’m looking forward to a great learning experience that will included interviews and photos. But you’ve come to expect that right?

    Ag Groups, Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health