- Tractors and other farm equipment can be a challenge to start in cold weather, so many farmers install block heaters to preheat their engines. However, using a timer on a block heater can save up to 85 percent on energy costs. A simple 24-hour clock timer can automatically turn the heater on so it’s ready when needed. The energy savings will typically pay for the timer in 1 to 3 months. A calculator on the Wisconsin Public Service web site can help farmers estimate what they’d save by using a block heater timer. Just go here and click Energy Saving Tools & Ideas, then Savings Calculators.
- Farmers in four pilot states who plant a majority of their corn acres using hybrid seeds that feature YieldGard Plus® with Roundup Ready® Corn 2 or YieldGard VT Triple™ technology from Monsanto Company will be able to lower their crop insurance premiums in 2008. The Risk Management Agency of the USDA announced the planned implementation of the Biotech Yield Endorsement for the 2008 crop year. The pilot will initially be available in four states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota. To be eligible, farmers must plant at least 75 percent of their corn acres on an insured unit basis to corn hybrids containing YieldGard VT Triple or YieldGard Plus with Roundup Ready Corn 2 technologies. EPA-mandated refuge requirements must also be respected.
- DuPont Crop Protection has received federal registration approval from the EPA for two soybean pre-emergence herbicides designed to provide growers with a better tool for managing weed resistance. The new products, DuPont™ Enlite™ and Envive™ herbicides, feature two modes of action that will provide growers with longer lasting, more consistent early season control of weeds that have developed tolerance and/or resistance to glyphosate and ALS chemistries.
Mac ‘n Cheese Expertise Earns Mississippi Woman $5,000
Tillamook County Creamery Association has named Lorie Roach of Buckatunna, Mississippi the winner of the National Macaroni & Cheese Recipe Contest. The title of best mac n’ cheese chef earned Lorie $5,000. Who knew cooking mac n’ cheese could be so lucrative?
Lorie Roach of Buckatunna, took home $5,000 and the title of Grand Prize Winner last week, in the 2007 Tillamook Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Contest.
Roach’s “Jumbo Shell Pasta Stuffed with Baby White Cheddar and Chicken Macaroni” recipe won the top prize December 7 against five other regional winners from across the country. Roach’s recipe was selected out of thousands of recipe entries in this year’s national contest.
“It’s essentially double-stuffed macaroni and cheese. The idea hit me in the grocery store. I was in the pasta noodles aisle and thought the two would go well together,” said Roach.
The cook-off was held at Hotel Lucia and sponsored by Typhoon! Restaurants, where local celebrities and culinary experts, including author Gerry Frank and Tillamook CEO Harold Strunk, judged the six regional finalists’ recipes for taste, presentation, unique use of ingredients and other judging criteria.
Energy Bill Pleases and Disappoints
The farm bill isn’t the only legislation of interest to ag groups right now. In fact, I think I’ve had more email over the energy bill lately. Of course it’s now on it’s way to the President to sign tomorrow morning and who knows when that will happen with the farm bill. Here’s a sample of comments just sent out after the House passed the energy bill this afternoon. I’m sure more will be sent out by tomorrow.
“Getting an energy bill across the finish line is no small accomplishment and one in which this Congress should take great pride. By coupling increased renewable fuels use with improved efficiency standards for automobiles, Congress is making a bold statement about the future direction of energy policy in this country. By seizing on the potential that renewable fuels offer to reduce foreign oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions and provide meaningful economic opportunity across this country, this Congress has put America firmly on a path toward greater energy stability and sustainability.” (Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen)
“We are ecstatic that a robust energy bill is finally within reach,” said NCGA President Ron Litterer. “The passage of this historic bill is a major step toward energy independence. We eagerly await the president signing this legislation into law.”
“On behalf of the American Coalition for Ethanol’s nearly 2,000 grassroots members nationwide, I applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for taking action on this energy bill and including the critically important Renewable Fuels Standard that will increase America’s energy security through the expanded production and consumption of ethanol. Congress’ bipartisan spirit has made energy progress possible for the good of all Americans who deserve better, more cost-effective choices at the pump than expensive, imported oil and gasoline. Ethanol is a win-win-win for the U.S. economy, environment, and energy security.” (Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE) Read More
Reminiscing With Brenda Curtis-Heiken
This week the ZimmCast hits a milestone with episode number 150. Hard to believe I’ve been podcasting for almost 3 years. It has been a blast though as we pioneer new ways to communicate to farmers and consumers. That’s why it’s kind of fitting that this week’s program contains an interview with my good friend Brenda Curtis-Heiken, USDA Radio.
Brenda is retiring from USDA right after the first of the year. Before she got away I wanted to have a chance to chat with her about what she does, her career highlights and reminisce a little about it all, including an international trip we were on a number of years ago.
That trip was taken prior to digital cameras so I had to go to my print archives to find this picture of Brenda (middle) with Cindy and me. It was taken at a reception in Rome where we attended a World Food Day activity among other things.
Yes we can tell some stories and still do at farm broadcaster get togethers. We wish Brenda all the best and have enjoyed working with her throughout our careers in farm broadcasting. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
At the end of the program I’ve got some music from the Podsafe Music Network that fits into the holiday spirit I hope you’re in. It’s called “Regifting For The Holidays” by the The Alice Project. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.
You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: 
ZimmCast 150 (20 min MP3)
Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:zimmcast150-12-18-07.mp3
The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes
Get Ready For IFAJ Congress 2008
Let’s see an even bigger group of United States agricultural journalists and communicators at the 2008 Congress of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. Next year it’s in Austria/Slovenia and the program looks like it will be great. Here’s the welcome message from the Congress President:
I would like to invite you to the 52nd IFAJ Congress “From the mountains to the sea” to Austria and Slovenia from 10 – 14 September 2008.
These two neighbouring countries will present to you forms of farming in the Heart of Europe which have orientated themselves less by global markets than by quality and sustainment and by partnership with the consumers in the regions. The country and its inhabitants will be the central points of presentation – and we would like to demonstrate this with concrete examples.
I am looking forward to welcome you in Austria and Slovenia in September 2008.
Yours sincerely,
Franz Fischler
President of the Congress
You can find the program here. Online registration will become available after January 1.
Teens Nationwide Donate Food to Needy
America’s Second Harvest is using the popular online social networking site, Facebook, to rally teens nationwide in the effort to feed the hungry. The effort aims to collect one million cans of food by New Year’s Day.
Food Banks across America are experiencing a food shortage emergency as the holidays approach and millions of Americans seek help feeding their families. American teens have responded to this call by joining together to collect and deliver one million cans of food by New Years for food banks across the country.
America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Network, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, is projecting an immediate food shortage of 15 million pounds — the equivalent of more than 400 truckloads or 11.7 million meals — by the end of the year. Do Something is joining together with other youth organizations to raise as many cans of donated food as possible to help hungry Americans this holiday season.
The counter to one million will be featured on an application on Facebook called “Emergency Canned Food Drive.” Teens across America can access it, log how many cans they have donated, see how many friends have donated, and watch the total grow. In addition, a Facebook group called “Emergency Canned Food Drive” will allow kids to post ideas, photos, and news updates.
NAMA Needs Feedback on Rural Lifestyle Forum
Hey NAMA members. In case you didn’t catch it in your email box the organization would like some feedback on the possibility of putting on a 1 day rural lifestyle forum.
Here’s the link where you can take the survey. It’s short and only takes a minute.
2007 National Corn Yield Contest Winners
The National Corn Growers Association has announced the Corn Yield Contest winners.
Not only was the number of entries higher than ever before, but several entrants scored yields of more than double the estimated average.
The 27 winners in nine production categories had verified yields averaging more than 298 bushels per acre, compared to the estimated national average of 153 bushels per acre. Ten winners (and 24 entrants overall) posted yields of more than 300 bushels per acre.
While there is no overall winner in the contest, yields of farmers who placed first, second and third in their production categories ranged from 252.6366 by Gary Porter of Mercer, Iowa, to 385.5861 by David K. Hula of Charles City, Va.
The national and state contest winners will be honored at the 2008 Commodity Classic, the combined convention and trade show of NCGA, the American Soybean Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers, Feb. 28 to March 1 in Nashville, Tenn. Contest winners will also be featured in a special edition of Farm Journal magazine. This year’s guide is sponsored by BASF, Bayer CropScience and Deere & Company.
Following are the 27 national winners by class: Read More
AAEA Byline Sponsorships Available
There are a few issues of the American Agricultural Editors’ Association newsletter, The Byline, available for sponsorship in 2008.
Companies will receive numerous benefits through this sponsorship. Those include:
- Company name on the right hand side of the front page of the ByLine.
- An opportunity to provide product or service information to the nearly 400 members of AAEA, including all key editors in the industry.
- The credibility of attaching your company’s message to The ByLine, listed in a recent survey as one of the top benefits to membership.
- Recognition as appropriate through editorial in the ByLine noting your company and others who sponsor AAEA programs.
- Ability to promote your sponsorship of the ByLine internally and externally within your company as appropriate.
- Listing in the AAEA directory as a sponsor of AAEA.
If interested give Den Gardner a call at 952/758-6502.
MarComm Changes at John Deere
The ag equipment division of John Deere has realigned it’s advertising and marketing communications jobs in the Lenexa, KS office. Here’s a list of the changes which take effect immediately.
- David Pauli is Division Manager, Large Ag Equipment, including large frame 7000, 8000 and 9000 series tractors, combines, cotton harvesters, seeding equipment, tillage and spray equipment, as well as John Deere Ag Management Solutions and John Deere AgriServices.
- Rick Haun is Division Manager, Small Ag Equipment, including 5000, 6000 and small frame 7000 series tractors, and hay and forage equipment.
- Mike Gustafson is Division Manager, Co-op Marketing, Parts and Special Projects, including branch marketing, dealer support and sign-up and John Deere Day.
- Bill Burgweger is Division Manager, Operations, including audio-visual production, SAP, supply management, Adix production and contract production purchases.
- Russ Walker is Division Manager, Publications and Direct Communications, including production of The Furrow and Homestead publications and other direct and electronic communications activities.
- Barry Nelson, Public Relations Manager, will continue to support all John Deere ag equipment marketing and media relations activities.