National Sorghum Producers Join Commodity Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

National Sorghum ProducersIt’s now official that the National Sorghum Producers will be joining with corn, soybeans and wheat at Commodity Classic in 2009. As if there wasn’t enough activity to keep the ag media busy there!

Commodity Classic, the tradeshow and convention of the U.S. corn, soybean and wheat producers, announces the National Sorghum Producers will be part of the premier annual event for agriculture when it meets in Grapevine, Texas in 2009. The 2009 Commodity Classic will be held Feb. 26-28 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on Lake Grapevine in Grapevine, Texas.

“We are very excited to take part in Commodity Classic in 2009,” said NSP President Dale Murden. “We recognize that farmers grow diverse crops and Commodity Classic gives producers the opportunity to network and learn about corn, soybeans, wheat, and now sorghum all at the same time.”

“The National Sorghum Producers will work in conjunction with the other commodities to offer joint programming as well as sorghum-specific education and networking. An NSP-only meeting will be held either directly before or after the Classic,” Murden added.

Ag Groups, Commodity Classic

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Entries are open for the 2008 Environmental Respect Awards. Farm retail suppliers across the United States are invited to enter online. Deadline for entry is April 30. The awards are sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection, CropLife magazine, and Farm Chemicals International. Visit the Web site for more information.
  • DuPont announced a $1 million contingent donation to fund the establishment of a permanent home for the World Food Prize in Des Moines. The donation will support the transformation of the former Des Moines Public Library into the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates and will be administered through DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred. When completed, the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates will serve as a historical center to recognize the achievements of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Iowa native Norman Borlaug as well as past World Food Prize laureates. It will host the annual World Food Prize International Symposium, which brings together dignitaries, scientists, nutritionists and other food and nutrition experts from around the world to discuss and share ideas about food and agricultural issues.
  • The Brown County “Family Living Tent” Committee of the 2008 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is seeking area stage talent and non commercial educational exhibitors for the show. The state’s largest outdoor farm show, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will be held July 15-17, 2008, at Country Aire Farms, just south of Greenleaf. Businesses or individuals who would like to participate in Wisconsin Farm Technology Days may contact Mark Hagedorn at 920-391-4612, or visit the Web site.
Zimfo Bytes

The Future of Food with Soy

Laura McNamara

14th Soy Symposium, Soy: New HorizonsThe United Soybean Board and the Soyfoods Association of North America want consumers to “see what’s on the horizon for food.” The organizations are co-hosting the 14th Soy Symposium, Soy: New Horizons, on April 17 and 18 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.

As global economies change, the food industry must transform. Keep up with emerging consumer trends, the future of supermarkets, international food markets, and innovations in packaging, flavors, and product designs by attending the 14th Soy Symposium, Soy: New Horizons. Phil Lempert, Columnist, Food Industry Expert and Editor of Supermarketguru.com, journeys into the supermarket of the future and reports findings from the recent Consumer Poll on why consumers are selecting soyfoods.

At the Soy Symposium, nutrition experts will update the audience on the latest research on soy’s role in reducing obesity, lowering cholesterol, improving brain power, and enhancing the immune system. A panel of experts describes how soy plays a critical role in human nutrition feeding programs around the world. Experts from Mintel present a survey of new products, including those with soy oil and soy protein. A panel of international authorities discusses strategies for assuring successful launches of new products and for obtaining critical soy ingredients in the broader global market. New soy products will appear in delectable meal offerings, by Chef Patricia Greenberg, at events where attendees can network and tour exhibits.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Food, Soybean

UnCork Your York

Laura McNamara

UnCork Your YorkMarch is the month to pop open a bottle of wine and relax if you’re passing through Pennsylvania. York County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau is promoting its UnCork Your York Tour de Tanks, a tour sampling the secrets of local vinters.

Local vintners take the guesswork out of finding the perfect vintage to suit your palate. The award-winning wineries of the UnCork York Wine Trail invite visitors into their cellars for Pennsylvania’s ultimate wine tasting straight from the barrels during the third annual Tour de Tanks event every Saturday and Sunday in March.

Celebrate local craftsmanship and please your palate while enjoying 11 family-owned wineries of the UnCork York Wine Trail, nestled in the center of Pennsylvania’s number one tourist region. Oenophiles and those just becoming interested in the fruit of the vine will value the opportunity to speak with the wine makers, learn more about the passion they put into each bottle.

Tickets for this event are $15 with one ticket good at all participating wineries for all five weekends.

York County is located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country Roads Region, just a short drive to other popular destinations including Lancaster, Gettysburg, and Hershey, making York the convenient central location for a getaway to the region.

Ag Groups, Food

Popcorn Board Appointments

Melissa Sandfort

20070406_bruni_sub.jpgAgriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced the reappointment of one member and the appointment of two new members to serve on the Popcorn Board.

William D. Kennebeck of Trenton, Mo., has been reappointed. Frank C. Morrison, Clearwater, Neb., and Pamela Garnick, Ord, Neb., have been appointed. Each member will serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2008 and ending on Dec. 31, 2010.

The nine-member Popcorn Board is composed of eligible popcorn processors who normally process and distribute more than 4 million pounds of popcorn annually. The nominees were appointed from nominations submitted by the industry.

The board, authorized by the Popcorn Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, conducts promotion, research and consumer information activities to maintain and expand the popcorn market. The program is funded by assessments paid by persons who process more than 4 million pounds of popcorn annually. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operations of the Popcorn Board.

Uncategorized

Join NAMA For Chance at iPod Nano

Chuck Zimmerman

Pink iPod NanoYou can have a chance to win an iPod Nano. All you have to do is join NAMA or sign someone up to join prior to this year’s convention. Yes, once again the National Agri-Marketing Association is helping you get with the new media world. Once you win then you can carry your farm podcasts around with you to listen to on the road.

New members who join NAMA between January 1 and April 7, 2008, will be entered into a drawing for a 8GB iPod NANO.

In addition, existing NAMA members who recruit these new members will also be entered into the drawing. Just make sure when you recruit a member that they put your name in the “referred by” space on the membership application.

The drawing for the iPod will take place at the Connection Point Closing Reception on Thursday, April 17 at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference, but you need not be present to win.

Start recruiting members today and take home your new iPod after the conference!

I’ll be the NAMA blogger again this year and ZimmComm New Media will exhibit for our 4th year in a row. Make sure you stop and see us because I guarantee there will be a contest in our booth you will want to participate in too.

NAMA

New York Giant Checks Out New Holland T-5000

Chuck Zimmerman

Tom LanoAt the National Farm Machinery Show New Holland introduced a new line of tractors. Pictured behind Tom Lano and me is one of their T-5000 Series tractors. I spoke to Tom who says they’ve received real good feedback on these tractors which have increased horsepower.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: nfms-08-lano.mp3

New Holland’s beefy new 70- to 96 PTO-hp T5000 Series utility tractors are built for long life and enduring productivity with high-strength frames, axles and components. They have the power and strength to perform heavy-duty loader work and handle larger, heavier implements, and to excel in tough hay conditions and demanding roadside mowing applications.

Madison HedgecockPowerful yet quiet four-cylinder engines provide the power and torque required for heavy-duty loader work and for operating hay tools, bat-wing mowers, feed wagons and mixers. The engines are turbocharged and intercooled for maximum fuel efficiency. Compared to previous models, the T5000 engine block is even thicker and heavier for reduced noise and vibration. The maximum engine speed has also been reduced from 2500 RPM to 2300 RPM to further reduce noise and prolong engine life. And, they are approved for use with B100 biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM 6751 standards.

While I was in the New Holland booth I got to meet Madison Hedgecock (pictured above), starting fullback for the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. He’s a Carolina farm boy who was out with his Dad to see the new machinery. I wonder if he made a deal to take one of these home.

Agribusiness, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

Robert Reeves Director of Public Affairs For Qualisoy

Chuck Zimmerman

Robert ReevesRobert Reeves has been named Director of Public Affairs for Qualisoy beginning March 1st. He has served on the board in the past.

The QUALISOY Board announced at a Board meeting on Friday the addition of a Director of Public Affairs during the 2008 fiscal year, beginning March 1. Robert Reeves, former president of the Institute of Shortening and Edible Oils (ISEO), has accepted this role and will begin his formal appointment March 1. QUALISOY adds this position to aid in developing coalitions to support QUALISOY initiatives and objectives.

“Robert’s knowledge and industry credibility will be a great asset to the QUALISOY Board,” said Greg Anderson, QUALISOY Chairman. “This new role will help build relationships with key industry associations, something QUALISOY relies on for continued support.”

Serving on the QUALISOY Board of Directors from 2004-2007, Reeves brings to the group an extensive knowledge of the edible oils industry. Focusing on accelerating the development of enhanced trait soybeans and promoting the introduction of enhanced edible soybean oils, QUALISOY will benefit from Reeves’ experience and reputation.

Reeves’ responsibilities with ISEO included policy development on issues pertaining to technical matters, the environment, transportation, occupational health and safety, energy and government regulations. Prior to ISEO, Reeves was the Director of the Food and Drug Division of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. He has a bachelor and master’s degree in food science from the University of Tennessee.

Ag Groups

Re-branding Story From Steve Rhea

Chuck Zimmerman

Rhea KaiserI just posted an announcement about Rhea + Kaiser’s new branding initiative and today I had the opportunity to speak with Steve Rhea about it. Steve says that they really wanted to build on their values of honesty, discipline and respect. It’s a complete brand makeover which includes a newly designed website, logo, stationary and everything you’d expect. He says that about 70 percent of their business remains tied to agriculture but they’re expanding outward to related fields in health care and food ingredients.

Take a couple minutes and feel free to listen to my interview with Steve here: rk-branding-rhea.mp3

Agencies, Audio

Cranberries Packed with Antioxidants

Laura McNamara

Cranberry Marketing CommitteeFoods high in antioxidants are always a top choice for the health-conscious. A new report from the USDA says cranberries are among your best bet for an antioxidant-rich diet.

The latest Agricultural Research Service Report from USDA, containing the results of the most comprehensive analysis of antioxidants in foods, shows cranberries score among the highest of all common fruits on the antioxidant scale.

The report includes antioxidant values for a wide variety of foods, which are measured by their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or ORAC value. With 9584 ORAC units per 100 grams of fresh fruit, cranberries have the highest antioxidant capacity when compared to 19 common fruits.

Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods – 2007 U.S. Department of Agriculture

FRUIT ORAC
USDA 2007
Cranberry 9584
Blueberry 6552
Plum 6259
Blackberry 5347
Raspberry 4882

The chart above shows cranberries score the highest of all common fruits on the antioxidant scale at 9584 ORAC units per 100 g as reported in the recently updated USDA ORAC report.Read More

Ag Groups, Food