Hogs on the hill could mean different things to different people. In this case we’re talking blogging hogs as in the pork industry and Capitol Hill. That’s because Hogs On The Hill is a blog and “The voice of the U.S. pork industry with a swine’s eye view.”
Welcome to Hogs on the Hill, a blog that will offer commentary on issues of importance to the U.S. pork industry. We hope you’ll visit often, and feel free to comment on any of our posts.
R+K Q+A Update
The NAMA ABEF was the big winner in this year’s R+K Q+A promotion.
This is the second year R+K sponsored its text message promotion, coined “R+K Q+A,” during the annual NAMA conference, held this year April 20–23 in Kansas City. Working in partnership with NAMA leadership and Commodity Update, R+K executed the promotion, which consisted of a series of questions that conference attendees were encouraged to answer via text message. For each text message received, R+K made a donation to ABEF, which funds leadership programs, a national marketing competition and scholarships for agri-business students. R+K donated all proceeds to ABEF, raising $1,800 for the organization.
Zimfo Bytes
- A new tool is available to hay and forage producers, locally and nationwide, to help them harvest a better quality crop: Dur-Adjust features a dual spring and rod system for DARF Hay Rakes.
- Sci Protek Inc. has secured exclusive global licensing rights to a new technology, a yeast, that will help manage the spread of one of the worst diseases affecting crops such as wheat and barley.
- QC Supply and Gillis Ag Systems have joined forces and are looking forward to providing the industry with an expanded range of products along with improved engineering, technical support and installation service.
- Pfizer Animal Health announced the first recipients of a new $2 million scholarship program for U.S. veterinary students.
Daryl Southard Joins Leica Geosystems
AgWired sponsor Leica Geosystems has added Daryl Southard, inside sales representative, to their North American Agriculture Solutions group. He started in early April, and is based out of Leica Geosystems’ Ag Solutions headquarters in Denver.
With nearly a decade of sales and product development experience in GPS navigation and premium networking systems, Southard is a great fit for the Leica agriculture team in North America. Previously, Southard worked in sales and product development.
“Daryl is a great addition to the team and brings with him a wealth of experience managing inside sales of technical products,” said Harlan Little, NAFTA business manager. “Daryl has a great ability to connect with our customers and will provide additional training and sales support. We look forward to bringing his skills and talents to bear in our business.”
Syngenta Gets BIO Award for Feeding the World
Syngenta was honored this week at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention in Chicago with an award recognizing achievements in crop productivity innovations that help feed the world.
BIO annually honors companies in the categories of “Healing, Feeding and Fueling the World” based on a pre-conference poll of attendees. Syngenta was named the “Buzz of BIO” award winner in the “Feeding the World” category by attendees at this year’s BIO International Convention.
“The Buzz of BIO contest has been a popular part of our pre-convention activities. BIO International Convention attendees voted for their choices and Syngenta was the winner this year in the Feeding category. Congratulations,” said John Craighead, Managing Director of Investor Relations & Business Development, Biotechnology Industry Organization.
Bouncing Back To Alltech
Looking ahead, my next big trip will be to Alltech’s 26th International Animal Health and Nutrition Industry Symposium, May 16-19.
In a year when much of the world has been impacted by the economic downturn, Alltech’s symposium will focus on a number of key issues critical to the success of a business. Building on the company’s previous symposia, the 2010 Symposium, ‘A Time for People, Profits, and Planet’ will drill down to the factors crucial to a company’s survival.
New Beef Advertising Campaign
This looks like it could be what’s for dinner tonight. The Beef Board’s new advertising campaign is premiering this month with a tagline of “29 Lean Cuts. One Powerful Protein.” Print ads like this one include recipes. The recipe for the meal in the photo is posted after the break below.
“This campaign reinforces consumers’ passion for the great flavor beef provides, while helping consumers identify the variety of lean options beef offers,” said Weldon Wynn, rancher from Star City, Arkansas, and vice chair of the industry’s Joint Advertising Committee. Beef farmers and ranchers from across the country direct the Beef Checkoff-funded “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” campaign. “I’m proud to be part of this exciting venture in helping Americans get to know the many great tasting lean beef cuts available,” said Wynn.
The new print advertisements feature plated shots of beef with an homage to each cut’s personality. For example, the T-Bone advertisement zeroes in on a beauty shot of the steak and points out: “When all the steaks get together, they call this one boss.” The ad for the Filet Mignon, also known as the Tenderloin, reassures you that “’mignon’ is just fancy talk for mouthwatering.”
The print advertisements will appear in monthly national magazines with an emphasis on food, health/fitness, parenting, lifestyle and men’s sports. Radio spots on nationally syndicated radio shows and satellite radio, combined with an outdoor advertising campaign in select markets, will follow shortly after the print ads launch. Public relations, health professional outreach, social media and retail promotional efforts round out this integrated effort. Read More
Zimfo Bytes
- Farm Progress Companies is pleased to announce it has been honored with an award from min: the prestigious min’s Most Engaged Media Brand Award.
- DuPont announced the EPA granted the historic commercial registration of Optimum AcreMax 1 insect protection for Pioneer brand corn hybrids.
- Bayer CropScience announces a $7.5 million contribution to the Texas Tech University Department of Plant and Soil Science, Lubbock, Texas.
- DuPont named William S. Niebur as leader of its Pioneer Hi-Bred business in China.
Register For Ag Media Summit
It’s now time to think Agricultural Media Summit. Registration is now available online (pdf). This is the joint meeting of: American Agricultural Editors’ Association, Livestock Publications Council and ABM Agri-Council plus the annual meeting of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.
If you’re looking for the best place to promote your company or organization’s products and services, then you’ll want to be at the 12th Annual Ag Media Summit in St. Paul, MN, July 24-28, 2010. This annual get-together, the largest meeting in the United States of the ag industry’s top writers, editors, photographers, publishers and ag communicator specialists, begins with pre-meeting tours on Saturday, July 24, followed by the AMS program July 25-28. We invite you to participate as a sponsor or an exhibitor at our InfoExpo or both, and be a part of this important agricultural media event.
This industry-wide gathering of agricultural communicators offers one of the best opportunities for professional improvement and industry networking. More than 600 attend this event each year, and the InfoExpo annually exceeds 75 booths. Check out the sponsor brochure for more information. See you in St. Paul as we go Rolling On The River AMS Style.
RFD-TV to Air Fungicide Feature
Preventative fungicides and plant health will be the topic of RFD-TV’s “Monday Night Live” with BASF on May 10.
The show will feature an expert panel to discuss how growers are controlling disease, realizing Plant Health benefits and maximizing yield with preventative fungicides like Headline fungicide from BASF. Among those on the panel will be our friend Ken McCauley, a Kansas farmer and former NCGA President, Marc Eads, a crop consultant in northern Indiana, and BASF technical expert Nick Fassler about how Headline fungicide can minimize labor costs and improve ROI.
During the hour-long show, the panel will discuss grower results using preventative fungicide applications and show you how to get the most out of every acre. Plus, you can call-in and visit with the panel of experts who will answer all of your fungicide questions.
RFD-TV “Monday Night Live” with BASF will air at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) on Monday, May 10. RFD-TV is available on most rural cable television networks. Find out where in your area by going to the RFD-TV schedule on line.