Chris Clayton over at DTNAg.com brought to my attention the fact that they’ve got several blogs up and running on their website. They all say “Limited Trial” on them which I think is interesting. I guess they’re just testing the waters on this blog thing. I’m betting they’d like some feedback on what they’re doing so check it out and let them know what you think.
DTN Market Matters Blog
DTN Ethanol Blog
DTN In Other Media Blog
DTN Production Blog
DTN Ag Policy Blog
DTN Ag Weather Forum
Since Laura just did a post on beef I had to post this YouTube video of a commercial spot for BullsEye BBQ Sauce. Now that I’m home for a few days you can count on the ZimmComm smoker to be put into action probably with a selection of goodies (beef, pork, chicken, fish). If you’re going to be grilling this weekend and want to get some pointers then check out the Kraft Foods BBQ Ribs Basics video.
Thanks to AdRants for the pointer.
About 200,000 NASCAR fans attending the race at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Maryland got a heads up on beef June 1st through 3rd. The “It’s What’s For Dinner” blimp debuted at the race, along with beef samples for fans at the “Monster Mile”.
The beef balloon was part of the checkoff-funded Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI), a project of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and several northeast state beef councils. During the Dover race, NEBPI volunteers and National Beef Ambassadors boosted the beef message by serving 2,000 burger samples at a booth on the speedway’s “monster mile,” between the stands and the RV parks. Burgers were donated by Fast Fixin’.
“NASCAR fans and beef are a great mixture. The blimp added to the enthusiasm and allowed consumers to locate the sampling area,” said Bill McKinnon, a volunteer from the Virginia Cattleman’s Association. McKinnon added the 17-foot long blimp was visible to highway travelers who were heading to Delaware beaches for the weekend.
The promotion also featured a new beef recipe from the winner of the Dover International Honorary Beef Master contest, held prior to race weekend. Amy Yannelli was named the track’s Honorary Beef Master for her winning recipe, Cheese-Stuffed Flank Steak (recipe attached).
“My family had an incredible time at Dover! Standing with Jeff Gordon’s pit crew was an event of a lifetime,” Yannelli said. “The National Beef Ambassador team welcomed me and treated me like a five-star chef—it really made my weekend grand.”
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The shooter got shot again. This is becoming a “tradition” whenever you get AgriTalk and ZimmComm in the same area at an event.
AgriTalk producer John Herath likes his Nikon as much as I like mine. So sometimes we just happen to be pointed the same way. After looking at this picture I’m wondering if the photographer behind me is getting a picture of my cuter side.
So while John’s taking a picture of me I’m taking a picture of him.
John took a bunch of photos while also shooting some video during the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race.
You can find his photos on their website.
Okay John let’s see if we remember to do this at the next stop on the road.
Here’s a comforting sight to anyone who’s spent much time in Washington. I’m done here for this trip but just know I’ll be back. I had the chance to get out on the Mall for a while in between rain storms this afternoon (jogging). I didn’t make it as far as I have in the past but I did get in a few miles.
It’s very cool to look one way and see the U. S. Capitol and the Washington Monument the other way. I don’t know how many times I’ve been on the Mall but it’s been long enough to appreciate the little carousel that Cindy and I used to take our daughters on when we lived just north of here near Baltimore. It’s still there and was crowded with kids this afternoon.
Hopefully you’ve learned a little bit more about propane and PERC this week as I’ve covered Propane Days. I’d like to thank PERC for the opportunity and hope to be able to do it again soon.
One of the people I spent some time talking with here at Propane Days is Mark Leitman, Director of Agriculture Programs for the Propane Education & Research Council. Mark is the go to guy when it come to ag and propane.
Because of the way the law was written that created PERC, 5% of the organization’s funds have to go to projects to benefit agriculture. He really wants to make sure the word gets out about all the exciting things they’re doing in this area. Some of those including poultry house sanitizing, and using steam to kill weeds. I found a project they’re working on to fumigate buildings and structures with propane created heat to be fascinating. PERC is also working to develop a cotton defoliating process which would reduce the amount of chemicals being used.
Basically he says PERC’s mission is to make farmers more productive. He also wants people to know that they’re looking for projects to fund in this area since PERC is a grant making institution. He would be the guy to contact if you’re interested.
You can listen to my interview with Mark here: propane-days-07-leitman.mp3
It appears that we’re going to see more interest and maybe more products in the area of vehicles that use propane due to the engine fuels program work of the Propane Education & Research Council. The man in charge of this area is Brian Feehan. He’s pictured here to the right of a group that I was working with this morning (Mark Leitman, Stuart Flatow, Roy Willis and Brian).
Brian says that there’s discussion going on now in the area of using propane with tractors and combines. PERC hopes to be involved as part of their federal mandate to invest at least 5% of their funds to develop products that would benefit agriculture. Brian says PERC is about a $50 million dollar/year program btw.
With all the efforts to reduce our dependence on foreign oil he says that propane holds great promise as one of the alternative fuels that will help us meet our goals over the next 10 years. For example, he says that they’ve done research which conservatively shows that propane can displace about 1 billion gallons of gas by the year 2017.
Brian says that there’s a federal tax credit of 50 cents/gallon for on and off road use of the fuel in vehicles which is money back in the pocket of those who use a fuel that right now is very competitive with highly priced gas. Brian also says that every R&D project PERC funds has to have a commercialization component so that there’s a plan for how to bring products to market after they are developed.
You can listen to my interview with Brian here: propane-days-07-feehan.mp3
The folks on Capitol Hill have definitely received an education when it comes to propane this week at Propane Days. One of the very important things they learned about is propane safety.
The propane safety man is Stuart Flatow, VP, Safety and Training for the http://www.propanecouncil.org/trade/agriculture/index.cfm“>Propane Education & Research Council. Stuart points out in an interview I did with him that in the event that a spill occurs with propane (unlikely if handled properly) it won’t harm the environment or animals that may be around because it won’t contaminate the ground or water. He thinks this is very important for people, especially farmers, to know.
Stuart says he works closely with the PERC agricultural advisory committee and has helped develop a program customized for ag called “Dispensing Propane Safely.” For people needing to find propane safety information he suggests visiting here for consumer safety, here for other types of propane safety programs and here to order materials.
You can listen to my interview with Stuart here: propane-days-07-flatow.mp3
Agricultural literacy for students in grades K-12 is a need the Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Consortium is devoted to supporting. Monsanto has announced its plan to grant AITC $50,000 at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference to help fund the Consortium’s support.
State AITC programs address the need for agriculture literacy at the K-12 student level, with innovative curricular efforts designed specifically to reach non-traditional agriculture students.
“The AITC Consortium is privileged to continue utilizing these grant dollars which will benefit students and teachers around the country who want to learn more about agriculture,” said Monica Pastor, University of Arizona Agriculture Literacy and President of Agriculture in the Classroom Consortium. “In an era of shrinking financial resources, Monsanto’s gift continues to enhance our state programs through the competitive grant process. This gift provides additional opportunities for deserving educational projects at the state level which are then shared with all states.”
The Monsanto gift will be used to fund three projects per year over the next three years through a competitive state-level grant process administered by the AITC Consortium. The grants will award outstanding initiatives developed by state AITC programs focused on biotechnology, plant sciences, or agriculture and the environment. Supporting AITC allows Monsanto to maintain its commitment to science education and grassroots efforts that improve the understanding of biotechnology.
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One of the companies that the Propane Education & Research Council is working with on some projects is Rinnai. This is a company that makes gas fired appliances and one thing they’re doing that is real interesting is tankless water heaters.
As you’ll hear in my interview with Mike Peacock (left) and Kirk Morrow, they’re working with PERC on a project with some dairies to showcase how their technology can benefit the farm. Essentially they say it allows the dairy to replace boiler systems that can break down causing the dairy to be without hot water until it gets fixed. Their systems don’t have many moving parts and so they last a long time. Additionally they’re working with the dairies on some other applications like floor heating which would help northern dairies in the winter to keep floors from becoming slick and animals from slipping.
In my interview with Mike and Kirk they also provide some explanation of just how this tankless system works. You can listen to my interview with them here: propane-days-07-morrow-peacock.mp3
