Citrus Robots from Energid

Laura McNamara

Citrus growers will soon have a new employment option: robots. Energid Technologies is developing a robotic citrus harvester for bulk fruit removal.

Energid Technologies Corporation has been funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Small Business Innovation Research Program to develop a new robotic citrus harvesting system. This system will combine the intelligence of robotics with the efficiency of bulk fruit removal to reduce harvesting costs to the citrus grower.

Most citrus today is harvested by hand, throughout the U.S. and the world. The resulting high costs, especially high in the U.S., are a significant part of the total cost of producing an orange or grapefruit for consumption. The new system being developed will reduce the cost of citrus products to the consumer while maintaining grower profitability.

Most past attempts at automated harvesting have focused either on conventional robotics, multi-link arms, or on bulk removal, such as trunk and canopy shakers. Energid is developing a unique system that combines the best of both approaches.Read More

Agribusiness, Farming, Food, Technology

Organic’s Got Nutrients

Laura McNamara

Organic milk from pasture-fed cows is believed to be full of nutrients. A study recently published from Newcastle University in the UK suggest that cows that graz on fresh pasture produce milk with higher levels of antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids, such as omega-3’s.

“Grazing dairy cows on grass or grass and clover swards produces milk with a healthier fatty acid profile and higher levels of fat soluble vitamins and antioxidants,” notes Gillian Butler, livestock project manager for the Nafferton Ecological Farming Group at Newcastle University, who led the study.

This study points to the diet of organic cows — fresh grass and clover — as the major reason for these nutritional benefits.

“This study joins a growing body of science indicating strong links between what we feed our farm animals and the nutritional quality of what they feed us. Not only are you what you eat, but you are what what you eat eats too,” says Michael Pollan, author of the best sellers The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food.

The Cornucopia Institute released this study. The farm and food policy research group based in Cornucopia, Wisconsin, says consumers can be confident that “the vast majority of brand name organic milk comes from cows that were given the opportunity to graze on fresh pasture whenever possible.”

Ag Groups, Dairy, Food

Organic Kefir from Lifeway Foods

Laura McNamara

Milk from Lifeway Foods is now garaunteed to be 100 percent, certified hormone free. The makers of the probiotic dairy beverage called kefir has announced they are now using milk that comes from cows that are not treated with hormones.

This 100% certified hormone free milk comes with a Farmers Pledge, which Lifeway will market on the labels of its products. This change came as a response to a growing demand for hormone and antibiotic milk by customers.

Julie Smolyansky, CEO said “Previously the milk we offered was hormone and antibiotic free, however, we now have a Farmer’s Pledge that certifies the milk is hormone free. We think this added benefit will continue to help us reach a wider group of health conscious consumers.”

Lifeway is self-described as America’s leading supplier of the cultured dairy produc kefir and the country’s largest supplier of Organic Kefir.

Uncategorized

Food Network Brings Wine and Food to New York

Laura McNamara

The Food Network is hosting its first-ever New York City Wine & Food Festival. The festival, which is being presented by Food & Wine and Travel+Leisure magazines, is the sister even to the popular Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

Set primarily in one of Manhattan’s most fashionable neighborhoods, the Meatpacking District, the festival will take place this Columbus Day weekend, Thursday October 9 – Sunday, October 12 and will benefit the hunger relief programs of Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength.

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is the only festival in New York to bring together both legendary culinary icons and renowned winemakers from around the globe as well as America’s most beloved television chefs. “The festival’s main goal is to pay homage to New York City and everything that makes it one of the best restaurant cities in the world,” says Festival Director, Schrager.

The stunning line-up of talent includes: Rachael Ray (30 Minute Meals), Paula Deen (Paula’s Home Cooking), Giada de Laurentiis (Every Day Italian), Tyler Florence (Tyler’s Ultimate), Alton Brown (Good Eats), Masaharu Morimoto (Iron Chef America), Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives), Bobby Flay (Throwdown with Bobby Flay), and Duff Goldman (Ace of Cakes), Alain Ducasse (Adour Alain Ducasse), Ferran Adria (El Bulli), Anthony Bourdain (Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations), Gordon Ramsay (Hell’s Kitchen), Nigella Lawson (Nigella Feasts), Lidia Bastianich (Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen) and more.

Tickets for the event go on sale this Monday June 16,2008. Proceeds will benefit the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength.

Food

Jimmie Van Zant Riding a Blue Boomer

Chuck Zimmerman

Jimmie Van Zant and Michael PetersonOne of the celebrities competing in the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor race was Jimmie Van Zant, pictured on the left with Michael.

Jimmie is a cousin to Johnny, Ronnie and Donnie Van Zant, deceased members of the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. He’s been making quite a career on his own.

He thinks the tractor race is an excellent opportunity for artists and the public to interact and he really thinks it’s a great idea to use this venue to promote a biofuel like biodiesel.

Listen to my interview with Jimmy: cma-08-jimmie-van-zant.mp3

Watch Jimmy ride:


2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Audio, New Holland, Video

Corn Farmers Concerned about Google/Yahoo Advertising

Chuck Zimmerman

Cindy found an interesting story on Cnet, titled, “Corn farmers take anti-Google fight to Washington.” It’s about a letter from the American Corn Growers and some other ag groups to Congress, urging them to look into a proposed advertising partnership between Google and Yahoo. It’s kind of a complicated story to explain easily so I encourage you to read the story if you’re interested. Here’s an excerpt from the letter.

We write to request that your respective Committees hold prompt hearings on the proposed partnership between Google and Yahoo! which threatens to create a monopolistic concentration of power in the market for online search and related advertising. This issue is of immense importance to rural communities that we represent.

As you know, search applications have become the primary portal for all Web users. Cattleman are now buying and selling calves on frontierstockyards.com, seed customers are finding suppliers through search ads displayed on AgriSeek.com, and family farmers are connecting with customers via localharvest.org.

What I think is really interesting is that this points to how important the internet has become to agricultural marketing and how significant search is. I think it shows how important it is for you to be “found” on the web and that’s what new media techniques and social media platforms are made for.

Ag Groups, Corn, Internet

Sacia and Duwe Join Filament Marketing

Chuck Zimmerman

Buffy SociaFilament Marketing has added a couple of new people to their staff.

Filament Marketing, LLC has announced the hiring of Buffy Sacia as an associate marketing executive. In this role, she will coordinate marketing projects and conduct public relation activities in order to carry out strategic marketing plans for many of the company’s clients.

Sacia has worked as an intern for Filament Marketing since May 2007 assisting on a variety of client projects. She has previous professional experience as a specialty writer for Agri-View newspaper and as an equine specialist intern for University of Wisconsin Extension.

“As an intern, Buffy has proven to be an exceptional member of our team,” says Ed Peck, owner and president of Filament Marketing. “Buffy’s vivacious personality and marketing skills make her a valuable, long-term addition to Filament and an immediate asset to our clients. And, her cattle, equine and diverse livestock experience add considerable depth to the team.”

Kristina DuweFilament Marketing, LLC announces the hiring of Kristina Duwe. As an associate marketing executive, Duwe is responsible for strategic project management for several of the company’s clients.

Duwe most recently worked as Special Projects Coordinator for the Dairy Business Association (DBA) of Wisconsin where she planned and coordinated association events, managed association public relations, and assisted with member recruitment initiatives. Prior to that, Duwe gained valuable project management and client service experience as an account executive for Neighbors and Dane County Kids, community-based newspapers in the greater Madison, Wis. area.

Agencies

Social Media Explained

Chuck Zimmerman

Although many of you are “getting it” when it comes to this whole new social media thing, which includes new media, there are so many who don’t. Well, maybe this video will help you understand.


Social Media in Plain English from leelefever on Vimeo.

Thanks to Sundog for bringing it to our collective attention.

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Truffle Media Networks is offering four podcast that feature the “Leveraging Interactive Marketing” workshop from this year’s NAMA convention. Explore new technologies; find out the emerging trends in search, content, applications and community; discover how farmers use online media; and learn what challenges impact your organization’s ability to successfully leverage the power of interactive marketing.
  • Hereford breeders from across the United States, Canada and New Zealand took part in the first-ever National Hereford Tour, “Rollin Through Dixie”, in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Guests also enjoyed Music on the Mountain as the grand finale event on Friday evening which raised over $200,000 for the Hereford Youth Foundation of America.
  • Twenty-two U.S. pork producers have been selected for the Pork Leadership Academy, a program sponsored by the Pork Checkoff to identify and train industry leaders. The Pork Leadership Academy (PLA) participants are selected by their individual states and represent different production styles. The Checkoff provides initial leadership training, as well as long-term support in preparing presentations and interviews.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Ag Leader Technology Precision Scholarships

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Ag Leader TechnologyPrecision agriculture training at Iowa State University just got a boost.

    Today, Ag Leader Technology announced their commitment to support students interested in precision agriculture by establishing the Ag Leader Technology Precision Agriculture Scholarship within the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) at Iowa State University. Five Ag Leader scholarships will be awarded annually starting in the 2008/2009 school year.

    “Ag Leader has benefited from the knowledge and expertise of many graduates from ABE at Iowa State University,” says President of Ag Leader, Al Myers. “Our goal is to enhance students’ awareness of, and interest in precision agriculture so they are prepared for the ever-changing agriculture industry landscape.”

    Agribusiness, Education, Precision Agriculture