I knew the news center was complete when Sheriff Rod Smith, Feedstuffs, walked in.
We can all rest knowing that we’re safe under his watchful eye.
Yes it was an active media room today.
I can only imagine that it will be even busier tomorrow.
Taking the Oath to Serve the Beef Board
I attended my first swearing-in ceremony today of the new Beef Board members. Representing the Sec. of Agriculture was Craig Morris, USDA Deputy Administrator of AMS’ Livestock and Seed Program.
Here you can see them taking the oath. I spoke with Craig prior to the swearing in and he says this is one of the highlights of his job. He says that USDA partners with the Board to make sure all the rules of the Act and the Order are followed properly. He sees a strong future for the beef industry.
You can listen to Craig administer the oath here: cic-08-swearing-in.mp3
You can also listen to an interview I did with Craig today as well: cic-08-morris.mp3
I also shot a video clip of the new member introductions and oath taking if you’d like to watch:
Hearing From Matthew McConaughey
I’m sure there are some people here at the Cattle Industry Convention who wish Matthew McConaughey was attending but he’s not. That doesn’t mean we didn’t get to hear from him though.
At the opening general session we not only got to listen to the new radio ads but also hear a message from Matthew.
You can listen to Matthew’s message here: cic-08-mcconaughey.mp3
To find out a little anecdotal evidence of how well received his voice is on the beef radio spots check out this website. Here’s part of the post that caught my eye.
Well a commercial came on for “Beef — it’s what’s for dinner” — I could not concentrate on my book. I was in heaven… sexy voice talking to me about lean beef and how good and juicy it is for you.
The voice belonged to my Barbie-Dream-Date… Matthew McConaughey.
I think that’s the kind of feeling they’re trying to create!
AgriTalking Again
Cindy saw them in Orlando and now they’re here in Reno with me. The AgriTalk boys are on the move.
Here’s host Mike Adams interviewing CBB member Tom Jones, no relation to the singer, but better looking.
Just so you know, I’m not getting paid to put these posts on here. It’s just out of the goodness of my heart.
Going To Classes and Sessions
The Cattle Industry Convention is now in full swing. It’s a busy place here at the convention center. I sure wish the internet access was better. My AT&T card in my hotel room is much faster. Oh well.
I’ve been back and forth to the Grand Sierra Resort for CBB activities and have quite a few interviews and pics to post. The first general session takes place in a little while so I’m hoping to get a few items posted before going there and then to the trade show opening.
Right now the Cattlemen’s College is taking place in rooms all around the news center. It’s a very school like atmosphere.
Zimfo Bytes
- FCS Financial’s Board of Directors announced that they will return $3.7 million to their member-owners in cash patronage for the 2007 calendar year. Patronage payments will be based on a member’s loan business activity with the association. All eligible members will receive a minimum of $20. Each eligible member’s patronage check will be available at his or her local FCS Financial office beginning Feb. 25. Each branch office will host a Customer Appreciation Day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 to distribute patronage checks. Those checks not picked up or delivered by the end of business on March 10 will be mailed to the respective members. For more information, contact a local FCS Financial office at 1-800-444-3276 or click here to find a link to the 2007 Patronage Program under Information.
- The Hoyt Report is the new go-to report for hay growers in the West. This weekly report offers readers insights and analysis on the western hay market. The Hoyt Report is authored by Seth Hoyt of Ione, Calif. Hoyt has over 35 years of agricultural marketing experience, plus hands on cattle and hay marketing experience. Hoyt recently retired from his position as a Senior Agricultural Economist with the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service in Sacramento, Calif. Interested subscribers can contact The Hoyt Report at (209) 274-9945 or E-mail aginfo@thehoytreport.com. A sample report can be found here. Subscriptions will be $119 for 47 weeks of report or $230 for two years.
- Comcast Cable Communications LLC and RFD-TV LLC announced a multi-year affiliation and distribution agreement which set forth the terms and conditions for carriage of RFD-TV and RFD HD on Comcast systems nationwide. RFD-TV has been on a year-long campaign to add high-profile, proven favorites to its popular lineup of productions with a unique rural-lifestyle flavor.
Beef Was For Lunch
I hope you enjoy our Zimfo Bytes. Helping put them together and post them on AgWired is Melissa Slagle, pictured here with Steve Barratt, CBB Collections Compliance, after a nice beef burger lunch at Johnny Rocket’s inside our hotel in Reno. Melissa works for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board as Manager of Trade Media.
The staff at the restaurant asked when all the cattlemen were going to be here since they had heard they may be “swamped.” I’m thinking that will be tomorrow since today was when most people were arriving.
It’s going to be fun working along side Melissa at the Cattle Industry Convention this year.
Producer’s Perspective of Beef Checkoff
I did some very random interviews with cattle producers as they were getting registered this afternoon about what they think of the Beef Checkoff.
I think it’s always interesting to hear their perspective. We’re actively involved in helping communicate the Checkoff activities to cattle producers so you like to think that the message is getting out. Judging from these 4 interviews it seems to be.
All these are a minute or less:
Louisiana Producer:cic-08-producer-1.mp3
Two Minnesota Producers:cic-08-producer-2.mp3
Texas Producer:cic-08-producer-3.mp3
Montana Producer:cic-08-producer-4.mp3
RFD-TV Glyphosate Resistance Programs
No matter where a grower farms, glyphosate resistant weeds are threatening his profitability. With confirmed glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Palmer pigweed) in the South and waterhemp and giant ragweed resistance in the Midwest, growers are looking for control options. RFD-TV Live! with Syngenta Crop Protection will present two programs on this topic. During each hour-long, live call-in show, a panel of university and Syngenta experts will offer their perspective on glyphosate weed resistance and answer your questions on how to manage it.
Viewers should tune in on Monday, Feb. 11th, for a Southern-focused show with panelists including:
• Dr. Trey Koger, cotton weed scientist and agronomist, Mississippi State University
• Dr. Chris Main, cotton and small grain production specialist, University of Tennessee
• Dr. Stephen Powles, director of the Western Australia Herbicide Resistance Initiative
• Mr. Chuck Foresman, manager of weed resistance strategies, Syngenta Crop Protection
Monday, Feb. 25th, experts will address solutions for the Midwest. Panelists include:
• Dr. Kevin Bradley, associate professor of weed science, University of Missouri
• Dr. Bill Johnson, weed scientist, Purdue University
• Mr. Chuck Foresman, manager of weed resistance strategies, Syngenta Crop Protection
Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this informative show:
• RFD-TV Live! with Syngenta airs from 8 to 9 p.m. EST (7 to 8 p.m. CST)
• RFD-TV can be found on Dish Network channel 9409, DIRECTTV channel 379 as well as Mediacom, Comcast, Charter, NRTC, Bresnan and NCTC cable systems.
New Specialty Tractors From John Deere
John Deere has announced a new line of specialty tractors. Interesting, because I just recently was talking to a tractor dealer who was saying that he sees a real need for more attention to specialty crop producers from the manufacturers.
To better meet the needs of orchards, vineyards, nurseries and greenhouse operations, John Deere introduces a new line of specialty tractors: the F-Series Orchard/Vineyard Tractors and the A-Series Nursery/Greenhouse Tractors. These machines are specifically designed to operate and maneuver in the confined work environments and field conditions of specialty crops and plants.
“This is the most significant lineup of new specialty tractors John Deere has introduced in a number of years,” explains Owen Frederic, product marketing manager, John Deere Commercial Products. “For the orchard and vineyard market, we have three models: the 76F rated at 76 horsepower, the 85F rated at 83 horsepower, and the 100F rated at 96 engine horsepower. All tractors are powered by turbocharged VM Detroit Diesel engines.”
These tractors feature a durable transmission with 24 forward and 16 reverse speeds. This easy-shifting transmission allows the operator to work at speeds from under 1 mph and up to 20 mph in transport – an excellent range for the many jobs required in orchards and vineyards.