First iPad Dairy App From Virtus Nutrition

Chuck Zimmerman January 30, 2011

Virtus Nutrition now has the first iPad dairy app.

The Virtus Nutrition app hosts a wealth of information for dairy producers, nutritionists and others interested in the latest on Omega fatty acid technology for improved dairy cattle nutrition. Download this app to access the Omega Value Calculator, which provides detailed analysis of the value of feeding Prequel 21 (omega-6s) and StrataG (omega-3s) to transition cows and early breeding cows. Find out how many additional pregnancies, and subsequently calves, that these omegas can have by reducing early embryo loss on your dairy. Explore the key research that explains the impact that the omegas can have by improving both milk production and reproduction in dairy cows.

Key Features

CALCULATE the omega value in your herd by entering basic herd information and generating a series of graphs to show the impact Omega Nutrition can have on your bottom line.

BROWSE through the product pages to learn more about Virtus Nutrition’s calcium salts of fatty acid products.

SEARCH the research and article pages to learn more about the science behind feeding omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids to dairy cows.

Apps, Dairy

iGrill Bluetooth Meat Thermometer

Chuck Zimmerman January 30, 2011

Do you dread the long walk to the cooker or oven just to check on your meat temperature? No longer. Not with iGrill and your iPhone (or iPod Touch or iPad).

iGrill is revolutionizing the way we cook & grill today!

The iGrill combines standard function, technical innovation and impeccable style to produce the most complete cooking thermometer on the market today.

Equipped with long-range Bluetooth®, useful Apps and a range of amazing features, iGrill turns your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad into your own personal Sous-Chef.

Equipment, Food

Big Turnout For International Poultry/Feed Expo

Chuck Zimmerman January 28, 2011

This year’s International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo has done very well on attendance as was expected. Here are some summary statistics just released by the organizers:

The 2011 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo drew over 20,000 poultry and feed industry leaders from all over the world. In addition, the show had over 900 exhibitors, almost a 12% increase from last year. Sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the American Feed Industry Association, the annual Expo is the world’s largest poultry and feed industry event of its kind.

“We were excited about the number of exhibitors and attendees on the exhibit floor,” said 2011 USPOULTRY chairman Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms, Oakwood, OH. “We were up in numbers in both areas from last year. We are very pleased with the great turn-out for this year, and the excitement on the floor has been tangible.”

This morning I met the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Gary Black, and sat down with him to discuss the impact of the show on the state and hear his outlook for Georgia agriculture. He says that one of his key goals is to help the general public better understand how important agriculture is to the state. One example he points to is making a number of changes in his department’s offices which will provide more in-office educational opportunities working with various farm groups. He also says that they are working on a plan to utilize social media in their efforts to reach out to the non-farm sector. Other subjects we talk about include alternative energy production and challenges to farming.

You can listen to my interview with Gary here: Interview With Gary Black

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by:

Audio, Poultry Expo

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort January 28, 2011

Thanks to the work of researchers at Dow AgroSciences, LLC, who have been collaborating with a University of Missouri researcher, a new weapon may be on the horizon to eliminate superweeds.
Rhino is proud to introduce the new AGM disc mower series.
Balchem Corporation announced expansion at two of its Animal Nutrition and Health production plants in St. Gabriel, La., and Verona, Mo.
Effective Jan. 1, 2011, CGS Tires US, Inc., has changed its corporation name to Mitas Tires North America, Inc.

Zimfo Bytes

Novus Supports AWARD

Chuck Zimmerman January 28, 2011

As a truly global company Novus International supports outreach and education programs in many countries. One of those is African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD). As a part of this fellowship program Novus hosts a researcher at their headquarters. Currently that is Salome Mutayoba, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania.

Established in 2008, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is a project of the Gender & Diversity Program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It was launched following a successful three-year pilot program in East Africa with support from the Rockefeller Foundation from 2005-2008.

AWARD is a professional development program that strengthens the research and leadership skills of African women in agricultural science, empowering them to contribute more effectively to poverty alleviation and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Our goal is to help them increase their contributions in the fight against hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Salome teaches poultry nutrition and management and conducts poultry research. She says she is using her time at Novus to analyze feed stocks since in her country poultry farmers have problems obtaining good feed. They also don’t have resources to do good analysis of potential feed options.

You can listen to my interview with Salome here: Interview With Salome Mutayoba

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by:

Audio, Education, International, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Novus Celebrating With Focus On Innovation Through Integrity

Chuck Zimmerman January 28, 2011

While speaking with Thad Simons, Novus International President/CEO, I got to congratulate him on his 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in Distribution and Manufacturing Award and on the 20th anniversary of the company.

“Innovation with Integrity” is going to be the company theme for the 20th anniversary. They will be celebrating all year long beginning this month, with events and customer appreciation dinners at Asian-Pacific Aquaculture in Kochi, India and here at the International Poultry Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.

“ ‘Innovation with Integrity’ has been a central attribute of Novus’ culture from the beginning. Our heritage has been built on developing innovative, science-based health through nutrition products for livestock, pets and people,” explained Thad Simons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novus. “We are very proud of our global network of employees, customers and partnerships and excited to embark on a year of celebration with the many people who support our continued growth and success.”

The company was founded in 1991, and today, has employees working in over 90 countries, serving more than 3,000 customers worldwide. Novus has facilities including corporate offices, research and development laboratories, and manufacturing operations in more than 35 countries, as well as offices with field staff in an additional 60 countries.

In my interview with Thad I asked him about the unique design of their exhibit which includes “living walls.” It is a visual testament to the importance of sustainability to Novus. In the photo Thad is standing in front of one of the living panels.

You can listen to my interview with Thad here: Interview With Thad Simons

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by:

Audio, Novus International, Poultry Expo

Biotech Alfalfa Deregulated

Cindy Zimmerman January 27, 2011

Farmers can prepare to “grow the feed, not the weeds” once again, anywhere they want, with the complete deregulation of alfalfa that has been genetically engineered to be resistant to Roundup.

USDA made the announcement today. “After conducting a thorough and transparent examination of alfalfa through a multi-alternative environmental impact statement (EIS) and several public comment opportunities, APHIS has determined that Roundup Ready alfalfa is as safe as traditionally bred alfalfa,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

This means that, for the first time since 2007, U.S. farmers will have the choice to plant Genuity® Roundup Ready® alfalfa, which makes Monsanto very happy.

“This is great news for farmers who have been waiting for the green light to plant Roundup Ready alfalfa,” said Steve Welker, alfalfa commercial lead at Monsanto. “USDA’s action gives farmers the choice to enjoy the benefits of this product, including superior crop safety and high-quality yield opportunity.”

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is also pleased by the USDA decision. “This is the right decision,” said Wisconsin farmer Jim Zimmerman, vice chairman of NCGA’s Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team. “A clean, full deregulation is the best decision for producers and lets farmers plant the kind of alfalfa they choose this spring.”

The USDA announcement comes just one week after the U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review the biotechnology product regulatory approval process where biotech alfalfa was in the spotlight and Secretary Vilsack testified.

Let the complaining by those opposed to genetically modified crops begin!

Corn, Dairy, Feed, NCGA, USDA

Dick Butkus Meets Novus International

Chuck Zimmerman January 27, 2011

The biggest crowd in the trade show at the International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo today was at the Novus International booth. Having a former NFL player/coach and Hall of Fame member didn’t hurt. Dick Butkus was there signing autographs and talking with all the customers and attendees who came by. Thanks to James Hermann, E-Marketing Mgr. for Novus for taking my photo.

I was able to talk with Dick and he told me about a program he’s very committed to called, Play Clean. He started it with his son a few years ago. Here’s what the mission of Play Clean is.

To educate and encourage high school students to make the right choice of playing clean – that is, training hard, eating well and playing with attitude, instead of resorting to illegal and dangerous steroids and performance enhancing products.

He says attending a poultry show “is kind of unusual” although his parents raised chickens and he did too once upon a time. He pointed out that he’s learned how important it is to the health of chickens to be raised in cages unlike what some animal activist organizations would have you believe. Pictured is the whole Novus team here with Dick.

You can listen to my interview with Dick here: Interview With Dick Butkus

The man signed a lot of autographs as seen in this little video clip:

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by:

Agribusiness, Audio, Novus International, Poultry Expo

Novus International Started In Poultry

Chuck Zimmerman January 27, 2011

Working with Novus International yesterday I conducted several interviews that I’ll be featuring here on AgWired. To start out, I talked with Scott Carter (left). Scott is the global poultry market manager so he was a good one to provide an overview of how important the poultry market is for the company. He says it’s the market they started in and their largest customer segment.

There are several key issues that Novus is addressing in the poultry sector right now that Scott says include feed efficiency, gut health and feed safety. I always like to learn what’s new and he points to their IDEA assay:

IDEA™ assay allows users to determine the protein and amino acid digestibility of feed ingredients. IDEA assay analyzes the ingredients in a formulation in order to optimize feed balance and nutrition. IDEA is an excellent tool to help users screen different batches and sources of a given ingredient and gives them the opportunity to use alternative feed ingredients.

You can listen to my interview with Scott here: Interview With Scott Carter

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by:

Animal Health, Audio, Novus International, Poultry Expo

iFeeder Helping Communicate Safe Food Messages

Chuck Zimmerman January 27, 2011

The American Feed Industry Association recently created iFeeder, the Institute for Feed Education and Research. To learn more about it I spoke with AFIA President/CEO, Joel Newman. He says the mission of the foundation is “To sustain the future of food and feed production through education and research.” He describes the challenge faced by the feed industry which is summed up on their website:

Today the average U.S. farmer feeds 144 people. In 1940 that number was only 19 people. We’ve made great progress but we have a long way to go. Today 1 acre feeds 1.6 people. By 2050 1 acre must feed 4 people. To feed the world in 2050, investment in agriculture must reach $83 billion per year. This equals a 50% increase in investment from current levels. The U.S. feed industry is a critical part of this chain.

Only through education and scientific based research done today will our future generations be able to support the increased world food demand.

Joel says that one of the things the foundation will work on is communication to audiences outside of the industry including the consuming public to help them better understand the safety of the food they eat. Of course social communications plays a role in that!

You can listen to my interview with Joel here: Interview With Joel Newman

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by:

Ag Groups, Audio, Education, Feed, Poultry Expo

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