Great Steaks From Alltech

Chuck Zimmerman

When I found out that Alltech was marketing steaks I knew they would be good. This is a very good filet on my grill. If you’re looking for a good recipe then order some flat irons and give this a try:

Spicy Lemon Pesto Flat Iron Steaks

Ingredients:
4 beef shoulder top blade (flat iron) steaks (6 to 8 ounces each)
1/3 cup prepared basil pesto sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 large cloves garlic, minced
Salt
Freshly grated lemon peel (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine Spicy Lemon Pesto ingredients in small bowl. Set aside.
2. Press garlic evenly onto beef steaks. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 10 to 14 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning once. Season with salt, as desired.
3. Top steaks with pesto. Garnish with lemon peel, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Now for the all important nutritional information and this is very nutritional!

Nutrition Information: Nutrition information per serving: 349 calories; 20 g fat (6 g saturated fat; 4 g monounsaturated fat); 68 mg cholesterol; 250 mg sodium; 2 g carbohydrate; 0.6 g fiber; 38 g protein; 10.2 mg niacin; 0.8 mg vitamin B6; 2.0 mcg vitamin B12; 2.4 mg iron; 41.0 mcg selenium; 6.5 mg zinc.

BTW, I’ll be attending Alltech’s 26th International Animal Health and Nutrition Industry Symposium in May.

Alltech, Beef

HSUS Claims Ag is “Paranoid”

Cindy Zimmerman

The head of the Humane Society of the United States says agriculture interests are just “paranoid” about the organization’s motives.

In an 18 minute interview with Brownfield Network’s Julie Harker about the proposed “puppy mill” ballot initiative in Missouri that would impose new regulations on dog breeders, HSUS president Wayne Pacelle refuted the idea that they were ultimately targeting the livestock industry. “I don’t see how supporting a measure to address dog breeders has anything to do with livestock agriculture,” Pacelle said. “It’s an irrational and paranoid response.”

While he says the dog breeding measure in Missouri has nothing to do with animal agriculture, Pacelle does admit they want to “improve the treatment of animals raised for food” in other states, like Ohio. “We make no apologies for urging humane treatment of animals raised for food,” he says.

Pacelle also called the agriculture industry paranoid in a story this week from the Kansas City Star. “They see (our) strength and they’re very paranoid about it,” said society president Wayne Pacelle. “But we remind them and others that we are seeking simply to curb the worst abuses in livestock.” The KC Star reporter repeatedly refers to HSUS as “the Humane Society” (best known for actually having animal shelters) and headlines the story “Humane Society’s compassion stirs conflict with agribusiness in Midwest.” The reporter correctly notes that the situation is “getting ugly” as Pacelle calls agriculture’s concerns a “bilge pump” of lies and defamations, and vows to push ahead “state by state, for laws against cruelty, from “puppy mills” to intensive confinement of animals in factory farms.”

It’s not paranoid if they really are out to get you.

Wackos

Africa Rice Center Receives Communications Award

Chuck Zimmerman

The Africa Rice Center received two awards at the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Now that’s a mouthful. The conference is taking place in Montpellier, France. One of the awards was for communications, which caught my eye.

The 2009 CGIAR Outstanding Communication Award was presented to Dr Paul Van Mele, AfricaRice Program Leader on Learning and Innovation Systems, for the Rice Rural Learning Initiative based on farmer-to-farmer videos on improved rice production practices.

The videos, combined with mass media, have helped strengthen the capacities of over 600 farmer organizations across Africa, stimulated greater innovation than did conventional farmer training techniques and had tangible impact on the livelihood of rural women.

Here’s a video from the Africa Rice Center website:

International, Research

International Fertilizer Efficiency

Chuck Zimmerman

AGROTAIN EEFWe had a great mix of international attendees at the Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Conference in Miami. I spoke with two of them after being introduced by AGROTAIN Marketing Communications Manager, Carrie Doza, pictured in the middle. To the left is Dr. Surinder K. Bansal, Potash Research Institute of India and on the right is Daniel O. Claudino dos Santos (a regular AgWired reader!) from Brazil.

Dr. Bansal says that in the last three years he’s been doing work on stabilized nitrogen fertilizers for use in corn and wheat crops. He sees real potential for EEF’s with large acre crops. In India he says nitrogen use efficiency in India is very low. That creates a lot of loss which has a negative environmental impact as well as an economic one. He’s found that they can increase yield by 8-10 percent with stabilized nitrogen fertilizers and save nitrogen at the same time. He hopes to see his work become commercially available after more trial work and government approval.

You can listen to or download (mp3) my interview with Dr. Bansal here: eef-10-bansal.mp3

Daniel works for Fertilizantes Piratini, a large fertilizer company that distributes AGROTAIN products. He says that the acceptance of EEF’s in Brazil is “amazing.” He says that sales have been skyrocketing year to year since they introduced the products in 2004. The main crops they’re seeing the adoption of these fertilizers in are corn, sugarcane and irrigated rice.

You can listen to or download (mp3) my interview with Daniel here: eef-10-santos.mp3

Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the New Ag International Conference
on Enhanced-Efficiency Fertilizers is made possible by .

Audio, Fertilizer, International

New ARC Website Live

Chuck Zimmerman

The Agricultural Relations Council’s new website is up and running so check it out. It’s a Ning site so you can create your own profile. Here’s mine.

The Agricultural Relations Council is the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries. ARC is a conduit for problem-solving, idea-sharing and collaboration among members, who share a passion for excellence in public relations.

If you’re a regular AgWired fan then consider ARC because you definitely fit the description.

ARC

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The board of governors of the United States Postal Service approved management’s request to move forward with a five-day delivery schedule, which would effectively eliminate delivery and collections on Saturdays. The next step is for the USPS to file a request for an advisory opinion with the Postal Regulatory Commission by March 30.
  • To enhance their “closest to the farmer” reputation, Ag Leader Technology, Inc., officially launched social media efforts with the inaugural post to the new blog Precision Point. Not only can Ag Leader fans interact with the company on their blog, but also on various platforms including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
  • Solae, LLC, has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2010.
  • In six months, the world’s finest equine athletes will gallop into Kentucky’s Bluegrass region for the most prestigious, global equestrian championships — the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The Alltech FEI Games, will take place in Lexington, Ky., from Sept. 25- Oct. 10.
    Zimfo Bytes

    NAMA Webinar on Social Engagement

    Chuck Zimmerman

    NAMA WebinarsThe next NAMA Webinar is tomorrow. Here’s the details:

    Tuesday, March 30, 2010
    1:00 p.m. (CENTRAL TIME)

    Online Engagement

    The purpose of social media implies that individuals and organizations interact in online environments. However, many organizations use social media to broadcast their messages and have not used social media tools to listen or interact. Because there is so much “noise” online, clients or potential clients ignore organizations’ bull-horn messages.

    Anne Mims Adrian, Associate Director, Information Technology for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System & College of Agriculture, Auburn University, will discuss how to build relationships in online communities by engaging others and will compare online presence and engagement to traditional online publishing. She will also describe how expectations of online activities have changed in the last few years and will share a few suggestions of appropriate ways to interact online.

    To register for the upcoming webinar visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=19

    NAMA

    New Farm Podcasting Tool

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Here’s a new piece of gear to add to your MOJO. Roland has just introduced the new R-05.

    The compact R-05 is easy to use, affordable, and packed with big-ticket features that raise the bar in its price class. Experience crystal-clear 24/96 capture, enhanced recording and editing features, and extended battery life (over 16 hours per charge). On stage, in rehearsal, at school, on the street, in the boardroom — whenever inspiration strikes, let the R-05 capture the moment with convenience and quality.

    * High-quality stereo recording (24-bit / 96kHz) with the built-in stereo mic or external input
    * Records directly to SD card with extended battery life (over 30 hours continuous playback, over 16 hours continuous recording)
    * Strong, attractive metallic exterior
    * Onboard editing functions; built-in reverb
    * Music-practice features (change tempo without changing pitch, loop playback, etc.)
    * Auto record start, auto song split, auto level adjust
    * Pre Record function (captures 2 seconds of audio that precedes pressing REC)
    * Use as a high-quality portable audio player (plays WAV and MP3 files)
    * Windscreen and tripod mount included

    Equipment, Podcasts

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • Jared Wattenbarger of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was seated as a Board Member on the United States Potato Board at the organization’s 38th Annual Meeting, March 9-12.
    • The Baghdad International Agriculture Fair is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions and leading tradeshows in Iraq. The event will showcase latest products and equipments for agriculture industry, May 4-7, 2010 at the Baghdad International Fairground.
    • Corn & Soybean Digest has launched an interactive Corn Weed Control Guide.
    • Donny DeLine, a farmer from Charleston, Mo., was named the 2010 Top Producer of the Year.
      Zimfo Bytes

      ACAJ Announces First Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting Winners

      Chuck Zimmerman

      ACAJThe Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists has announced their Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting Awards. Yours truly was happy to be one of the judges for this first ever award program. You can see the entries on their website.

      If Sarina Locke thanks her Mum when she accepts the inaugural Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting today, it will be for more than conventional reasons.

      The Canberra-based ABC journalist took out the new award with an impressive radio documentary based around a visit to West Timor where she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Dr Russ Locke.

      A veterinarian from Holbrook in southern NSW, Dr Locke worked in West Timor 15 years ago, helping village women to vaccinate their chickens as part of an AusAid project to develop veterinary services in the Eastern Islands.

      Sarina visited her at the time, and decided to return last year with financial assistance from the Crawford Fund and Australia’s Centre for International Agricultural Research, to find out whether the $40 million Australia spent on agricultural aid in Indonesia in 2009 was helping to lift farming families out of deep poverty.

      Sarina was presented with a $1000 cheque by award sponsor Rabobank at a gathering of the Farm Writers Association of NSW in Sydney. She also received a certificate as winner of the radio category in the award, which was organised by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ).

      Adelaide-based ABC Television journalist Kerry Staight won the television category with her piece, ‘All in the Family’, broadcast on ABC Landline on February 11, 2009.

      Ian Doyle from Doyle Media Services, also based in Adelaide, was given an encouragement award in the category for online video, for a piece broadcast via the S. Kidman and Co website.
       Read More

      International, Media