Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Elanco Food Solutions has introduced its first food-safety product for the poultry industry. AviBrom is a post-harvest carcass rinse that reduces Salmonella pathogens during processing.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting announces that Nov. 10-12, 2010, will be the annual convention at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.
  • In preparation for key battles it foresees for the beef industry in coming years, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Board of Directors voted to adopt a report and governance structure concept by a Governance Task Force that would lead to significant structural changes to the organization.
  • Linder Farm Network announces its annual Marketing and Management Seminars, held Feb. 15-19, 2010. Registration begins at 8 a.m. each day. Cost is $30 per person.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Animal Ag Sustainability Summit at Poultry Expo

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The sustainability of animal agriculture was the topic of a well-attended summit at the 2010 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo in Atlanta.

    poultryC. Larry Pope, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods Inc., was keynote speaker for the two day summit and his main message was that the animal agriculture industry, both processors and farmers, need to listen to and engage the people and groups who are attacking them. He said that it is important to talk with these individuals and groups to show them the industry’s side of the story. “We need to educate all of the groups that challenge our practices,” Pope said.

    Because the public has developed misconceptions about animal agriculture practices, Pope issued a challenge to those involved in the animal agriculture industry “to make two visits to a community group or school to educate the public on industry practices and to dispel the myths about industry practices that exist now.”

    poultryAlso on the program was Christian Richter of The Policy Group, who discussed the regulatory mood in Washington when it comes to animal agriculture. “Hyper command and control mode is coming back at EPA,” said Richter. “The current administration is shifting personnel from cooperative voluntary programs to enforcement programs.” He notes this represents a major shift in focus from the Bush administration which advocated the role of non-government drivers in prompting more voluntary action on the part of corporations towards sustainable practices.

    2010 International Poultry Expo photo album

    AgWired coverage of International Poultry Expo is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo, Sustainability

    NOVUS Wants To Maximize Beef

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Dan MeagherWhen it comes to communicating NOVUS International’s commitment to the beef industry Dan is the man. He’s Dan Meagher, VIce President, Sales, Americas. He was on hand at the Cattle Industry Convention to help spread the word about the company name and products for the beef industry.

    Dan says that NOVUS is investing in people and products. A lot of the research the company has done has been on beef. He thinks they have an opportunity right now in this segment of the industry. He says they’ve moved into the dairy and pork sectors and this is just part of their diversification strategy. Their products are designed to maximize the nutrition capabilities of the animal so it reaches its full potential while reducing costs.

    Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Cattle Industry Convention is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, Novus International, Uncategorized

    Late Harvest Raises Mycotoxin Concerns for Poultry

    Cindy Zimmerman

    novusMycotoxins can be an issue in feed anytime, but with the late, wet harvest in 2009 there is an extra level of concern this year and it was a topic of discussion for poultry producers and industry representatives meeting at the International Poultry Expo/Feed Expo in Atlanta this past week.

    “This is a year when we should be extra sensitive, not only testing to make sure we know what we have on our grain coming in, but also considering proactive choices to treat symptoms for the low thresholds of mycotoxins that are always present in some of the grains each year,” says Wendell Knehans with Novus International. Novus recently conducted a study on the effects of their product Solis Mos on the presence of both aflatoxin and ochratoxin in poultry feed. “What we found at both a moderate level (400 mg) of ochratoxin infestation and 800, a very high challenge, is that the birds maintain their performance in the presence of that toxin challenge,” Wendell said.

    Listen to or download my interview with Wendell in the player below:

    2010 International Poultry Expo photo album

    AgWired coverage of International Poultry Expo is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Animal Health, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

    Poultry Association Elects New Officers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association elected the 2010 slate of officers and directors during the International Poultry Expo.

    poultryThe new chairman of the organization is Steve Willardsen (left) of Cargill Value Added Meats, Wichita, KS. He was presented with the traditional “working man’s gavel” by 2009 chairman Monty Henderson, George’s, Inc., Springdale, AR. Thanks to USPOULTRY communications director Larry Brown for providing the photo.

    Other officers include Mark Waller of Ingram Farms, Cullman, AL, Treasurer; Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms, Oakwood, OH, Vice Chairman; and James Adams, Wenger’s Feed Mill, Rheems, PA, Secretary.

    The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is the world’s largest and most active poultry organization, representing the entire industry as an “All Feather” association. Membership includes producers and processors of broilers, turkeys, ducks, eggs, and breeding stock, as well as allied companies. Formed in 1947, the association has affiliations in 27 states and member companies worldwide. USPOULTRY also sponsors the International Poultry Expo.

    2010 International Poultry Expo photo album

    AgWired coverage of International Poultry Expo is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

    NCBA Management Report From Forrest Roberts

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Forrest RobertsHere’s NCBA CEO Forrest Roberts being interviewed in the media room here at the Cattle Industry Convention. I had my turn and our interview is posted below. Additionally, I have his remarks today when he gave the NCBA management report at the annual meeting.

    One thing you’ll notice from talking with or listening to Forrest is his energy level. Even with all the challenges facing his industry he’s very optimistic. It has been just a year that he’s been in his current position.

    Forrest mentions the work of the NCBA Governance Task Force and after his report this morning the recommendations passed by a vote of 201 to 13. I’m sure we’ll be getting details of the changes since there is still a lot of work to be done on re-structuring the organization. Working groups will be set up and the next step will take place at the summer meeting.

    You can listen to or download (mp3) my interview with Forrest here: cic-10-roberts.mp3

    You can listen to or download (mp3) his management report here: cic-10-annual-mtg-roberts.mp3

    Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Cattle Industry Convention is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference

    Dan Dierschke New CBB Chairman

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Dan DierschkeWelcome new CBB Chairman Dan Dierschke, Texas rancher. Dan took the gavel this morning at the annual meeting and I spoke with him about his priorities for the coming year.

    Dan says he has three goals as chairman: 1) develop an effective response to the increasing demands of the anti-animal use activists, 2) continue to use checkoff investments to build beef demand, and 3) reduce counter-productive arguments within the industry and stress our common goals.

    Here’s the list of new officers/executive committee members:

    Chairman: Dan Dierschke, TX
    Vice Chairman: Tom Jones, AR
    Secretary/Treasurer: Robert Fountain, Jr., GA
    Virginia Coehlo, CA
    Virginia Davis, IN
    Will Frazee, IA
    Wesley Grau, NM
    Kristy Lage, NE
    Hank Maxey, Jr., VA
    Daryl Berlier Owen, TX
    Sid Sumner, FL

    You can listen to my interview with Dan below:

    Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Cattle Industry Convention is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Ag Groups, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

    Management Report From Tom Ramey CBB CEO

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Tom RameyEach annual meeting of the CBB concludes with a report from the CEO. Tom Ramey reported this morning and I have his comments recorded for you to listen to.

    Tom detailed the changes in the staff during the last year and says he feels real good about the people who are working on behalf of the checkoff in the office. He mentioned that the latest producer attitude survey showed that 69 percent either strongly or somewhat strongly approve of the checkoff. That’s up slightly from last year. Tom also mentioned that he and the officers are committed to working with NCBA to help achieve the mission of improving beef demand.

    You can listen to his comments below:

    Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Cattle Industry Convention is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Ag Groups, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

    Now Past CBB Chairman Lucinda Williams

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Lucinda WilliamsAt the annual CBB Banquet we honored outgoing Chairman, Lucinda Williams. She’s seen here with one of the quilts she made for the staff and board. All board members were asked to sign them before they left.

    Then we heard comments from both Dan Dierschke, incoming CBB Chairman and Tom Ramey, CBB CEO. They came to the stage and expressed their appreciation and enjoyment with working with Lucinda. They noted her endless energy and care for other people at all times.

    You can listen to their comments below:

    Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Cattle Industry Convention is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Ag Groups, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

    Livestock Publications Council Hears From Steve Foglesong

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Steve FoglesongThe incoming NCBA President is Illinois cattleman Steve Foglesong. He dropped by the Livestock Publications Council lunch today.

    He told the agricultural journalists attending the luncheon to reach out to other media when they see them reporting inaccurate information. He says that when he sees problems he’s going to do something about it and he’s quite willing to engage people who disagree with him.

    You can listen to Steve’s lunch comments below:

    Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Cattle Industry Convention is sponsored by:
    Novus

    Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, LPC