Shoot Your Fuel The Change EPIC

Chuck Zimmerman

EPIC contestThis is shaping up to be an EPIC contest. Actually it is an EPIC contest. Our friends at the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council just started a video contest as a way to help educate consumers about America’s energy options. It’s called the “Fuel the Change” video contest. If you’re interested then you better start shooting and editing today.

Entrants can submit a :30 second video to www.fuelthechange.com. The producer of the winning video will receive a $10,000 cash prize and get the opportunity to have the commercial aired during the 2008 Indianapolis 500 on ABC.

Entries will be judged in several ways. Beginning on February 11, voters will be able to rate the videos posted to the website. In addition, a panel of judges will view the videos and select winners based on consumer votes, creativity, originality, relevance, broadcast suitability, and adherence to contest rules.

The contest runs from January 28, 2008 through April 21, 2008. Winners will be selected on May 7, 2008. The winning entry could air during the 2008 Indianapolis 500 on May 25.

In addition to the first place video prize, a “People’s Choice” award will be given, the winner receiving $5,000 and three “Sponsor’s Choice” award will be given, the winners receiving $1,250 each. Registered users of the site who vote each day are also entered into a drawing to win weekly prizes including $500 gas cards.

Ethanol

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Syngenta Crop Protection and No-Till Farmer magazine honored three outstanding individuals and one outstanding organization during an awards ceremony held Jan. 10 at the 16th annual National No-Tillage Conference in Cincinnati. The 2007 No-Till Innovators are: Don Hoover, Lititz, Penn., Binkley & Hurst Bros. – Business and Service; Bill Richards, Circleville, Ohio grower – Crop Production; Clearwater Direct Seeders – Organization; and Bud Davis, Kansas – Research and Education.
  • Diamond V® recently announced plans to build a new $12,000,000 manufacturing facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Construction on the new 28,000-square-foot facility will begin this summer and it will become operational in 2009.
  • Deemed as one of the greatest events in 30 years, The Mile High Night National Hereford Sale was the talk of Denver, posting the highest selling bull and highest average of the National Western Stock Show, grossing $533,950 and averaging $25,426. When Eddie Sims, National Cattle Services Inc., silenced the gavel for the final time, six bulls averaged $52,808 and 15 females commanded $14,473 per female.
Zimfo Bytes

Baxter Speaks Out For Ag Census

Chuck Zimmerman

USDA Ag CensusYou sure know Baxter Black is more than just a pretty face. He’s also a recognizable voice. I’m sure that’s why USDA had him voice a couple of psa’s for their current Census of Agriculture. I realize these are meant for “broadcast” use but dare I post them on the web?

Baxter PSA Number One (:60): ag-census-baxter-1.mp3
Baxter PSA Number Two (:30): ag-census-baxter-2.mp3

Every five years, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) calls upon agricultural producers to let their voice be heard through the Census of Agriculture. The Census is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many other areas. Census report forms have been mailed to more than 3 million producers to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due February 4, 2008.

Notifying producers of their responsibility to participate in the Census is high priority, and we are asking for your assistance to help with this important task. For your benefit, NASS has produced both a 30-second and 60-second public service announcement featuring Baxter Black. The announcements are designed to help your producer audience understand the importance and benefits of their participation in the Census.

Please select and air these public service announcements at your convenience. By airing the announcements during your broadcasts, you once again demonstrate your commitment to America’s producers of food, fuel and fiber. Help every farmer and producer – whether small or large – stand up and be counted in the 2007 Census of Agriculture. It is their opportunity to share their voice to help ensure a better future for their operation, their family and their community. In addition, please take a moment to provide NASS with an update on Census PSA airtimes and audience reaction. Your input is valuable.

For more information about the NASS Census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call toll-free (888) 4AG-STAT or (888) 424-7828.

Audio, USDA

Mizzou Capstone Class

Chuck Zimmerman

MU Capstone ClassI’m going to be adding to this post later today. Right now I’m just posting as a demo for this class. I told you I’d update this post and I’ve still got a YouTube clip to add which I’m editing right now.

Bill Allen invited me in to talk to his Ag Journalism Capstone class today since they’ve now all got their own blogs started. In fact, if you’d like to see them here’s the list:

MU Capstone ClassThis is a quick shot of Bill’s computer projected on screen. He’s certainly got a good website up there in his bookmarks!

While I was there we really had a kind of open forum discussion. As you’ll see in the video clip that I’ll be adding here shortly the students have lots of good questions. They’re learning a form of journalism that didn’t exist back in my University of Florida days.

Post Update: Here’s the video I know you’ve been waiting for:

University, Video

Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award Presented

Melissa Sandfort

ipe08_4230.jpgThe inaugural Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Don Dalton by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association during the annual chairmen’s reception at the 2008 International Poultry Expo in Atlanta.

Dalton retired in December as president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.

Dalton succeeded Ford as the staff head of the association. His ties to the organization date back to the 1970s, when Dalton was general manager of Valmac Industries, a broiler processor in Arkansas, later acquired by Tyson Foods. It was during those years that he was elected to the board of directors of what was then known to most in the industry simply as “SOUTHEASTERN.” After several years on the board, he became a member of the executive committee. He served as what is now chairman in 1978.

In 1989, Dalton joined the staff of the association as exhibit manager and director of government relations. He was named president when Ford retired in 1992. He led the organization as it continued to expand and serve the U.S. poultry industry in all aspects of poultry and egg production and processing. The major emphasis has been in areas such as education, research, communication, environmental management, food safety, and of course, the annual International Poultry Expo.

The Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award is presented occasionally to an individual whose dedication and extra effort over the years have far exceeded the ordinary and who has had significant impact on the poultry industry and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. It is a periodic award to recognize exemplary service and unique visionary leadership.

Poultry

Beef Says I Love You

Chuck Zimmerman

Piggly Wiggly Say It With BeefAt least it does at Piggly Wiggly according to a story on Adrants.

For Valentine’s Day, grocery chain Piggly Wiggly is offering a $5,000 diamond necklace to its Angus beef buyers. The winner will be selected on February 11.

This ought to create some buzz in Reno next week at the Cattle Industry Convention. I’ll be there starting Monday evening.

Of course this is after another annual “holiday” called the Super Bowl. Want some beefy ideas for it? Then check this out.

Advertising, Beef

Agri-Culture: Curry Red

Laura McNamara

Open fruit from red curry plantHave you ever wondered where red curry get it’s color. It comes from the chalky red seeds of what my guide called the “curry plant”. My research shows that his “curry plant” is not the same plant known as the curry plant in English. Nor is it the same as the curry tree. I couldn’t quite identify what we call this plant in English, but the guide on my mountain excursion in Vietnam says the fruit of this plant is where the Vietnamese find the red-coloring to use in their red curries.

Red curry lipstickI found out it also works great as a lipstick. Talk about long-lasting! Really, I couldn’t get that streak off my cheek for about two days. The red powder “lipstick” doesn’t have much of a curry taste, or much of any taste for that matter. When I said as much to my guide, he agreed and explained the plant is used just for the coloring.

Farming, Food, International

Agri-Culture: Going Bananas

Laura McNamara

Green fruit hanging from a banana tree in VietnamBananas are a staple of Southeast Asia. In Thailand, small crepes stuffed with bananas, chocolate and condensed milk are popular treats and are often the staple for the average backpacker. Banana shakes are also a favorite. (Personally, I go for banana-coconut shakes.) The same goes for Cambodia as well as Vietnam. Although, neither of those countries offer “banana pancakes” that can rival those in Thailand. I’m in Laos now and I heard the “banana pancakes” here are just as good as those in Thailand. We’ll see…

The bananas here in Southeast Asia sometimes look funny, like midget bananas. I didn’t know they could come so small. You see bunches of dwarfed bananas that barely stretch beyond the length of your palm. They’re great snacks and you can usually get a huge bunch of them for about $2.

In Thailand, banana flower salad is an excellent local dish. Watch out though! It’s spicy!!

When I was on my 5-day motorcycle trek through the central highlands of Vietnam, my guide explained that the pulp from banana trees is used by villagers to feed their pigs. They chop up the trees, then grind the pulp and put it in a stew of sorts. The pigs love it.

Farming, Food, International

Agri-Culture: Viet Tea

Laura McNamara

Vietnamese green tea plantationTea is just as common of a drink in Vietnam as coffee. Well, green tea that is. Vietnamese black tea is used for exports. But the green tea is a local favorite. At most restaurants, you get Vietnamese tea free with every meal. Some restaurants serve better local tea than others. Sometimes, it can be quite bland. Other times, the tea can be deliciously tasty. Subtle, but tasty. I hope that’s not too confusing. Anyway, we zigzagged our way through plenty of tea plantations on that 5-day motorcycle trip.

Agribusiness, Farming, Food, International

Lisa O’Brien New Executive Director Of USB

Chuck Zimmerman

Lisa O'BrienWelcome Lisa O’Brien to the United Soybean Board as the new Executive Director.

In her new role, O’Brien will be responsible for day-to-day administration of all contracts related to the soybean checkoff, as well as outreach with directors, Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs), contractors and staff. O’Brien’s responsibilities will commence March 1, 2008.

“I’m excited about being selected as USB’s new executive director,” says O’Brien. “Coming from a non-for-profit organization, I was drawn to USB because of the time and effort farmers give to benefit the overall industry. Also, it’s an unprecedented time to be in agriculture, particularly as you look at the new innovations and technologies that are emerging.”

O’Brien has spent the past fifteen years of her career in managerial positions. She was recently employed as executive director of the world renowned Susan G. Komen for the Cure St. Louis Affiliate.

She also served as executive director for Clayton Chamber of Commerce (Clayton, Mo.) as well as a business manager for Marsh, a Videojet Company, which retails coding and marketing equipment supplies.

Ag Groups, Soybean, USB