Update at 3 Strikes Ranch

Amanda Nolz

strikes Without a doubt, my past post on the 3 Strikes Ranch incident created an incredibly heated discussion from both animal rights supporters and animal welfare advocates. The mistreatment of animal wasn’t the only topic discusses as readers debated horse slaughter, the secret agenda of HSUS and how the horses were treated after the owner was placed into custody. I promised to keep everyone posted with updates on this event, and I thought I would send this release your way. Without a doubt, we can all agree that the mistreatment of these horses is a tragic story that should have never happened. I absolutely do not stand behind these bad apples in agriculture. I pray that these horses find homes soon, and this scenario is brought to justice. -Amanda Nolz

Wife of 3 Strikes Ranch owner cited by feds
Source: KNEB

The wife of troubled Three Strikes Ranch owner Jason Meduna has been cited by the U.S. Attorney’s office for animal cruelty, and could face additional federal charges as well. Anissa Meduna was cited after the Bureau of Land Management determined one of the malnourished mustangs being held on the Morrill County ranch for the agency was adopted in her name. Mrs. Meduna co-owns the ranch with her husband and sits on the non-profit ranch’s board of directors.

BLM spokesperson Cindy Wertz says the agency is still determining how many of the animals transferred to the ranch by the agency had been adopted by Mrs. Meduna. Wertz says at least three mustangs and three burros that were taken to the ranch by the Bureau of Land Management were in Anissa Meduna’s name. Five of those six are dead, and the one living mustang, which is the subject of the federal citation, is being monitored at the BLM facility in Elm Creek, Neb.

If Mrs. Meduna is convicted on the federal count, she faces a $300 fine. Jason Meduna is awaiting a hearing May 20th in Morrill County court on a state charge of felony animal cruelty, which could result in jail time, a fine, or both.

Animal Health

USCP Selects Broadhead + Co

Chuck Zimmerman

United Sorghum Checkoff ProgramTo help it build domestic demand the United Sorghum Checkoff Program has selected Broadhead + Co to launch a new campaign.

As part of these efforts, Broadhead + Co will provide domestic marketing strategy for the new sorghum checkoff program. Initially work will focus on growing the use of sorghum for ethanol and as well as opening new edible-uses markets for crop. Also, Broadhead + Co will partner with the Renewable Fuels Association building infrastructure for ethanol distribution within key sorghum geographies.

“We see sorghum as the natural fit for an advanced biofuel because it’s a viable and available alternative to other grains,” said USCP Chair Bill Greving of Prairie View, Kan. “Broadhead’s experience in this arena will prove to be invaluable as we develop this market and grow demand.”

Additionally, Broadhead + Co will spearhead projects to grow new use development of sorghum in the gluten-free market as well as other areas. Broadhead + Co will work with researchers, manufacturers and marketers of sorghum and other such crops to coordinate their efforts and realize this market’s potential.

Ag Groups, Agencies

Just the Facts from the Corn Farmers Coalition

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn Farmers CoalitionAll the Corn Farmers Coalition (CFC) wants to do is get policy makers to listen to the real facts about issues affecting America’s largest crop.

For example, “It’s a little known fact that we are growing five times as much corn as our grandfathers did in the 1930s on 20 percent less land,” said CFC Director Mark Lambert during a Thursday teleconference with reporters.

Facts like these are vital as the issue of indirect land use gains traction in ethanol policy decisions on the state and federal levels, according to Ross Korves, economic-policy analyst and expert on farm and trade policy for the research firm ProExporter Network. “As corn farmers get more productive, so does corn’s environmental impact abate,” said Korves. “More productivity per acre means we produce more corn on the same acres. There is no land use effect because we are simply not using more land.”

National Corn Growers Association first vice president Darrin Ihnen says they are concerned because the indirect land use issue has already led to an unfavorable ruling last week for corn ethanol under the California Air Resources Board’s new low carbon fuel standard even though both ethanol and agricultural interests provided compelling arguments that the calculations were flawed and failed to take into account important considerations such as increasing corn yields and credits for distillers grains by-products. On the federal level, EPA is required to make indirect land use calculations as they implement the new Renewable Fuels Standard. “Let’s not make critical decisions like this without all the facts at hand and without a fair comparison of what it takes to make a gallon of gas to a gallon of ethanol,” said Ihnen.

CFC is a recently-formed alliance of the National Corn Growers Association and 10 state corn associations

Listen to the CFC teleconference here: cfc-call-1.mp3

Download the audio here: CFC Press Conference

Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

New Novus Headquarters is Certified Green

Cindy Zimmerman

The new global headquarters for Novus International in St. Louis has been awarded the Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Platinum certification is the highest designation available to buildings that demonstrate energy efficiency and sustainability.

NovusThe building, which is located in Missouri Research Park, is only the fourth building in Missouri to achieve the distinction and one of fewer than 100 buildings in the United States to receive the designation.

The 90,000 square foot facility consolidates the Global Headquarters and International Research Center for the animal health and nutrition company into a single facility. In addition to office space, the building includes 10 research laboratories, state-of-the-art employee and customer training center, a fitness center and cafeteria.

The building has some great “green” innovations, such as the largest array of solar panels in Missouri (5,000 square feet), countertops made from recycled milk jugs and scrap aluminum, a fitness room floor made from recycled tires, and carpet containing recycled yarn, plus landscaping using Missouri native grasses and plants designed to require no irrigation, equating to thousands of gallons of water saved each year.

I recently posted an interview with Jeremy Lutgen, Novus Public Relations Manager, about the new green building and their upcoming opening ceremony in June.

Environment, Novus International

Thank You Larry Quinn

Chuck Zimmerman

Larry QuinnThose of us who have attended a lot of NAFB Washington Watches over the years know that they wouldn’t be anywhere near as beneficial without the help of Larry Quinn, Assistant Director for Communications Operations, USDA. Everyone in ag communications should know Larry and for those in farm broadcasting in particular, he’s documented our “happenings” in his weekly e-newsletter for as long as I can remember.

We gave Larry another thank you last night at dinner by presenting him with an NAFB commemorative edition tractor (to add to his collection). Larry is pictured with his wife Christine.

So we give Larry big thanks for helping us out and getting us in and out of USDA one more time during the early part of this transition year.

NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

USDA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Bayer CropScience LP presented United Fresh Produce Association with a $1.1 million endowment over the next four years to create the Center for Global Produce Sustainability.
  • Schillinger Genetics has announced the opening of new southern Illinois research station this coming May at their new facility located in Vandalia, Ill.
  • This spring, USDA will conduct the first-ever, wide-scale survey of organic farming in the United States to find out how the growth of organic farming is changing the face of U.S. agriculture. Participants can mail back their forms or complete the survey online.
  • Gold Standard Labs opened its fifth facility located in Bowling Green, Ky.
    Zimfo Bytes

    NAFB Meeting With Legislators

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Senator Tom Harkin with NAFBMembers of NAFB are hearing from a variety of senators and congressmen this morning in the Longworth House Bldg. First up on the program was Senator Tom Harkin, D-IA.

    Harkin pointed out that he’s the only person to ever serve as chairman of the Senate Ag Committee 3 times. His remarks touch on a lot of subjects important to agriculture and I thought I’d just go ahead and post them here for you. Please feel free to download and use.

    You can listen to Senator Harkin here: ww-09-harkin.mp3

    You can also download his remarks with this link (mp3 file).

    NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

    Audio

    NAFB Washington Watch First Timer

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Julie McPeakeJulie McPeake, Southeast AgNet, is attending her first NAFB Washington Watch program. I spoke with here in between presentations this morning.

    Julie says this is a great opportunity, especially for farm broadcasting newcomers, to dip their foot in the water (interviewing DC politicos). She says she’s in “sponge mode” which means she’s listening and learning so she can better serve her listeners back home.

    Julie also has the honor of receiving a Pam Jahnke nickname which is Peaches. You’ll find out why when you listen to her interview.

    You can listen to my interview with Julie here: ww-09-mcpeake.mp3

    NAFB Washington Watch 2009 Photo Album

    Audio, Media

    AGCONNECT Connects With AGRITECHNICA

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Ag Connect ExpoThe organizers of two international agricultural shows have announced a formal alliance to coordinate show dates that will allow agriculture producers to attend a major international agriculture trade show each year.

    AgritechnicaThe alliance is between DLG (German Agricultural Society), the organizer of the world’s largest agriculture machinery show Agritechnica, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), organizer of the new agricultural trade show AG CONNECT Expo, scheduled for January 13-15, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Agritechnica is held on odd numbered years with the next show scheduled for November 10-14, 2009 at the Fairgrounds in Hanover, Germany.

    Both Agritechnica and AG CONNECT Expo 2010 are organized with a focus on providing a world-class event with top value and the highest quality experience for registrants. The philosophy shared by the shows is to provide customers with the full agriculture trade show experience. For 120 years the DLG exhibition has highlighted technological advances favored by agriculture producers. AG CONNECT Expo 2010 has a parallel concept that will provide a global gathering place in the United States for agriculture producers, manufacturers and agribusinesses.

    AEM, Equipment

    Virtual Conventions?

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Watt Online Animal Nutrition & Health ForumThe Watt Online Animal Nutrition & Health Forum is underway. In today’s economy it seems like a free show you don’t have to travel farther than your computer to attend makes a lot of sense.

    Have you visited? If so, what are your thoughts about this concept? Should this model be looked at for more companies and farm groups? Could we do Commodity Classic online?

    Think of it as an online event where nutritionists, veterinarians, animal production/husbandry managers, and technical consultants, as well as manufacturers and marketers of animal health products, feed ingredients and feed additives, can engage in real-time interaction via instant messaging, chats, e-mails or the exchange of electronic business cards by making use of any available local internet access. Far from the usual online experience, the virtual forum will provide true capabilities for interaction.

    Animal Health, Media