Ethanol Shines in the Night

Chuck Zimmerman

Ethanol Plant at NightThis is why I like to have a camera with me at all times. You just never know when you’re going to see something you’d like to share.

Ethanol plants are cool in a lot of ways. They’re producing a domestic fuel solution to our energy problems and that lessens our dependency on foreign oil for example.

But they can also make a pretty picture too. I was driving south through Missouri last night and passed through Laddonia and the POET plant there.

This was a handheld snapshot from the highway (not much traffic at the time I was passing by).

Ethanol

Have a Flat Iron and a Glass of Milk

Chuck Zimmerman

Lucinda WilliamsThe Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Wisconsin Beef Council were exhibiting at World Dairy Expo. Lucinda Williams is a dairy producer and Vice Chair of the Beef Board.

She says they were there to remind dairy producers that they’re also beef producers. I got there just in time to sample some of their flat iron steaks they were serving. In fact, I’m making one for supper tonight!

You can listen to my interview with Lucinda as part of our Milking Parlor Podcast: milking-parlor-34.mp3

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, World Dairy Expo

Harvesting Soybeans

Chuck Zimmerman

Soybean HarvestingI kind of thought I’d see more of this on the way back to Missouri from Wisconsin but I saw very little harvesting going on even though the weather was beautiful.

Of course there is still a lot of green corn out there, especially in Iowa. Most of what I saw was soybean harvesting.

Today I’m organizing and editing the photos and interviews I did at World Dairy Expo. It takes a while to edit 22 audio interviews!

Farming

Farm Babe Talking It Up at World Dairy Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

Wisconsin Farm ReportAfter a morning of interviews and photos I’m hitting the road back to ZimmComm World Headquarters.

I’ll leave you with this one of a hard working farm broadcaster, the Farm Babe herself, Pam Jahnke, Wisconsin Farm Report. Once again Pam invited farm broadcasters to her home and made us feel welcome as her husband, Buck, grilled brats and burgers. We had a good time although I had to leave before the serious story telling got started.

I’ve got lots of good interviews which I’ll be using primarily on World Dairy Diary, so if you’re interested keep an eye over there for a lot more information.

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

Media, World Dairy Expo

Rainy Weather at CFWF Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Canadian SunriseSeeing this picture sent in by Dan Danford, AdFarm, makes me wish I was able to attend the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation meeting. This picture was actually taken prior to the CFWF meeting.

Dan was kind though to send me a couple of pictures and let me know what’s going on with our brethren in the great white north.

The AdFarm PR group spent the last few days here at Vancouver Island in intensive training at the beautiful Tigh-Na-Mara (pronounced Tee-Na-Mara) resort. I’ve attached a picture from the sunrise a few days ago.

CFWF ConferenceLast night we arrived up island at the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation Conference in Comox. Unfortunately, we’re expecting rain during our farm tours today.

Hopefully, I’ll have some decent photos of the local agriculture scene to share (if I can keep my camera dry).

Thanks.

Dan

No Dan. Thanks to you!

Agencies, International, Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • CNH Global N.V. has announced it will reconsolidate production of soil management equipment at its plant in Goodfield, Ill., rescinding plans disclosed in late 2006 to close the 233,000-square-foot facility. As a result, all soil management equipment previously transferred to the company’s plant in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, will be returned to Goodfield as soon as possible.
  • Syngenta Crop Protection announced Durivo insecticide has received registration from the U.S. EPA for use in vegetable crops, including leafy and fruiting vegetables, brassicas and cucurbits. Durivo is a systemic insecticide that employs two modes of action to protect vegetables from chewing and sucking insects as well as lepidopteran pests.
  • Novus Nutrition Brands, LLC., has formed a new division, Novus Pet Nutrition. The new division will provide nutritional ingredient solutions to the pet food manufacturing industry. Novus Pet Nutrition is lead by Bill Hogan, Business Development Manager.
  • The Hondo Group announced that Sam Monreal has joined their team as a Business Development Associate. Monreal will be working to expand the Hondo Group’s operations into the Austin, Texas market.
    Zimfo Bytes

    AgriTalk at World Dairy Expo

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AgriTalkYes, I know, it’s AgriTalk again. No nice studio or even comfy table here at World Dairy Expo.

    This time host, Mike Adams, just had a couple of chairs out in the hall outside the media room. However, he was able to pull off another good show with guests like Joe Bavido, Dairy Management, Inc.

    So, there you go. AgriTalk, on-location in Madison, WI.

    World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

    World Dairy Expo

    NAFB at World Dairy Expo

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Farm Broadcasters at World Dairy ExpoMembers of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters posed for a photo at World Dairy Expo. This is in the room sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board for their 2008 Talk Session.

    Basically, WMMB invites in a number of people who are available for interviews. I got several which will be featured in our Milking Parlor Podcast on World Dairy Diary later today. We used this opportunity for the photo since so many of these folks were working there already.

    World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

    NAFB, World Dairy Expo

    National Dairy Animal Well-Being Guidelines Announced

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Charlie ArnotAt last year’s World Dairy Expo we heard about the announcement of the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative. This morning they released the official principles and guidelines. The facilitator for the Initiative is Charlie Arnot. He described the process that got us to this point and says that now it’s time for the Initiative to move to the next step. He used a chart that he calls the “Continuous Improvement Cycle” to show each of them. Next in the cycle after today for example is “Apply Principles & Guidelines to on-farm well-being programs.”

    The National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative is a producer-led Coalition that includes members from every sector of the dairy industry. On October 2, 2008 at World Dairy Expo, the Coalition introduced the broad Principles and Guidelines — a uniform umbrella of assurance that the industry is meeting its ethical obligation for dairy animal well-being. Our goal is to protect consumer trust and confidence in the dairy industry by demonstrating dairy producers’ commitment to animal well-being.

    Logan BowerAlso on the program today was Pennsylvania dairy producer Logan Bower. He talked about how they’re already beginning to use the Initiative’s principles and guidelines in their state. Here’s an example of some talking points provided to producers by the Initiative.

    Dairy Producer Talking Points
    Developed by the National Dairy Checkoff

    * As a dairy farmer, caring for my animals is my No. 1 priority so that I can provide the public with safe and wholesome dairy products. I work hard every day ensuring the comfort and safety of my animals and providing them a nutritious diet.
    * Farmers in my community oppose/are outraged by the inhumane treatment of animals, whether on or off the farm. Farmers support government investigations into any allegations of animal abuse, including those that occur at meat processing facilities.
    * Dairy farmers support government regulations that prohibit non-ambulatory, or “downer,” cattle from entering the food supply.

    You can listen to the presentation with Charlie and Logan here: wdx-08-well-being.mp3

    World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Dairy, World Dairy Expo

    Keeping The Boot Off The Table at Essen Haus

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Essen Haus CrewWhere do farm broadcasters go in Madison, WI after the World Dairy Expo is over for the day?

    Essen Haus. Where the boot is not allowed to touch the table. If you haven’t been to Essen Haus and don’t know what that means then you’ll have to ask one of these people.

    All farm broadcasters are invited to the media room at 11:30 this morning for a photo that we can put in e-Chats.

    World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

    Media, World Dairy Expo