CHS, Inc. gets on AgWired twice today! They’ve got a lot going on.
CHS Inc. has announced that it will be contracting low linolenic soybeans from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., for the 2007 growing season to provide the food marketplace with low lin soy oil to support the demand for healthier foods. Contracts for these opportunities will be made through elevators as 
well as directly with growers in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. CHS will pay a $0.40 per bushel premium for the identity-preserved beans upon delivery to the CHS crushing plant in Fairmont, Minn. Growers with interest in this program can also contact their local Pioneer sales representative for more information. Growers will have multiple Pioneer brand low linolenic soybean varieties to choose from in this region; these include 92M41, 92M73 and 93M01. All of these low lin varieties contain the Roundup Ready trait.
Put Some Ethanol in my Latte Please
Well now, it’s about time you’re able to get a nice espresso when you drop off your grain. Can you say, “After you get done checking the moisture content can you fix me a nice cappuccino?” It looks like this fits into the “Energy” component of the CHS business. I know I need some each morning to get going. I put a little caffeine in me and some ethanol in my vehicle. In fact, I think I need another cup right now.
CHS Inc., a leading energy and grain-based foods company, announced today it has formed a joint venture with Mountain Mudd, LLC, which operates drive-thru specialty coffee kiosks in 22 states. Under the agreement, CHS will partner with the present owners, Brenda and Dennis Burkhartsmeier, who will continue to manage and operate the business in Billings, Mont. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
Mountain Mudd Espresso, was formed 13 years ago and has over 70 branded specialty coffee kiosks, the nation’s largest in its sector. “We believe this is an excellent opportunity to enter this growing niche market,” said Leon Westbrock, executive vice president, Energy, for CHS. “Our involvement with Mountain Mudd kiosks provides a unique way for both convenience stores and other businesses to expand their retail offerings.” “The specialty coffee market is one of the fastest growing food service segments and is projected to expand by 7 percent annually,” said Brenda Burkhartsmeier, president of Mountain Mudd Espresso. “This joint venture with CHS will help us reach the rapidly growing drive-thru portion of the specialty coffee market.”
A Rocking Theme
The FFA Convention is off to a rocking start if you judge it by the theme song. The theme is Blue Jackets – Gold Standards.
I don’t know if they have always had a musical theme song but they do this year.
If you like a rocking tune then listen to it here: blue-jackets-gold-standards-theme.mp3 (3 min MP3)
Former Intern Is Back
I guess Brant did a good job as an intern at The Meyocks Group. After graduating and getting some experience he’s now back.
Brant Ausenhus has joined The Meyocks Group as an account manager. Before joining the agency, Ausenhus had been a marketing specialist with Marsh, Inc., also in West Des Moines. Previously, he worked for three years as an account executive with Bader Rutter & Associates, a business-to-business marketing services agency based in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
It’s a Wired World
The march goes on to bring high speed internet access to rural America. We’re becoming a wired countryside folks. How are you gearing up to communicate?
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced today that broadband and telecommunications loans totaling almost $210 million are being awarded to communications firms in four states. The funds, provided through two USDA Rural Development programs, will allow for the extension of new and improved telecommunications services to more than 40,000 residential and business subscribers.
Move That Tractor
Well I was heading out. Then I got an email with this announcement about a Case IH tractor making its acting debut on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition this coming Sunday.
“Move that bus!” is a legendary catchphrase for viewers of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Shouted by thousands of cheering onlookers at the end of each episode, those words cue the show’s producers to reveal a mind-boggling home built in just a few days for a deserving family. When Extreme Makeover: Home Edition airs on Oct. 29, the crowd may end up shouting, “Move that tractor!” That’s because the featured family will receive a new Case IH JX1100U tractor with a LX252 loader, courtesy of Case IH, along with their new home. Be sure to catch Case IH on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Sunday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. Central Time) on ABC.
MAC Meeting About to Start
Well we’re about to get started here at the MAC meeting in Cedar Falls.
It’s pouring rain outside but we’re inside and dry. I’ve been chatting with a few of the members who are very interested in learning how or why you would use new media tools for business purposes.
That’s what I’m going to try to cover over the next hour.
I’ll have more later.
Interactive Director for Colle+McVoy
Colle+McVoy has named Patty Henderson (formerly with Target Corporation) the director of their interactive department. Does “interactive” mean websites still? How many interactive department people are blogging? That’s just something I’ve wondered. I wonder if they like blogging. Just a thought. . .
At Target, Henderson led strategic planning of interactive and emerging media initiatives for electronics, entertainment, kids, toys, sporting goods, holiday and Target Financial Services. Previously, she has held interactive and marketing director positions with Juut Salonspas, Martin/Williams Advertising, Regis Corporation and Mara-Mi. “Capitalizing on the always-changing field of emerging technologies takes someone who displays smart thinking and passion, someone who has been in the trenches, like Patty Henderson,” says Christine Fruechte, Colle+McVoy’s president. “Patty will play a critical part in our clients’ success moving forward.”
79th FFA Convention Kicks Off
The 79th FFA Convention got kicked off today. I was hoping to be there but it just didn’t work out. The FFA website has a lot of content you can check out though to keep up with all the action.
With all the hoopla surrounding the start of this mega convention a little controversy did surface related to the fact that Carrie Underwood is performing tonight. She’s made it clear that she’s a vegetarian and that’s apparently created some animosity among a number of people, including Trent Loos. I had several emails today on this topic and tried to get in touch with the folks at FFA about it. I got a call back but was in a meeting so I didn’t get to talk to anyone. However, it looks like Lindsay Vance at Buckeye Ag Radio Network did.
I just didn’t get to work on it this year but maybe next year I can set up an FFA AgWired blogger to help me out so we get the on-the-scene scoop from the perspective of one of the blue coat participants.
Late Day Corn Harvest
I did lots of miles through the corn and soybean fields today. I had meetings in Des Moines and then it was on to Cedar Falls. Along the way a little while ago as it was getting dark you could see lots of this going on.
I stopped to experiment with my camera and realized right away I forgot my tripod. Not good for low light shots. But that’s never stopped me from trying. These first two pictures are of the same combine making the same path through this field.
These are all along highway 63 north of I-80 in Iowa. It kept getting darker but that doesn’t stop these guys. I know it’s raining in a variety of places throughout the Midwest but it wasn’t here. Unfortunately it has the World Series in delay tonight.
I tried to shoot a video clip but at this point it was full dark. So here’s what you get without a tripod in the dark and ready to get to your hotel room so you can begin posting. Actually it’s a nice colorful effect that shows how bad my hand shake is.
That’s the extent of my creativity for the night.