Double Shifting Hog Plants

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensThe head of Maple Leaf Foods [Canada] suggests improved wastewater treatment is key to double shifting the company’s Brandon hog slaughtering plant.

In an address to community leaders in Brandon recently, Maple Leaf Foods President and CEO Michael McCain reaffirmed his company’s commitment to double shifting its flagship Brandon pork plant as quickly as possible.

He notes, to overcome the financial hurdles of a new wastewater treatment facility, the City of Brandon in partnership with Maple Leaf Foods and Wyeth Organics have sought out a collaborative solution to their respective wastewater treatment challenges. Read More

International

$8.9 Million For Rural Broadband

Chuck Zimmerman

USDAJust last Friday I asked Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, what he thinks about farmers using computers and the internet and he responded with a personal anecdote. When I got back to the office I had a news release from USDA in my inbox announcing some more money to provide for “BROADBAND “COMMUNITY CONNECT” GRANTS.”

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner today announced the award of $8.9 million in broadband community connect grants. A total of 21 grants in eight states will be awarded today, elevating the program to $57.7 million invested to 129 awardees in its 5-year history. “These funds will provide a critical link between essential community facilities in areas where no broadband service currently exists,” said Conner. “The goal is to improve public safety and also enable residents to pursue educational opportunities.”

Internet, USDA

Eliminating Dangerous Child Labor

Chuck Zimmerman

FAOEradicating dangerous child labor in agriculture will be a big focus of the International Labour Organization, working with other organizations like FAO in 2007.

ILO has started to cooperate with international food organizations including FAO as a follow up to a new ILO’s Global Approach on Child Labour. In 2007, ILO’s World Day Against Child Labour that is celebrated on the 12th of June each year, will focus on Agriculture and call for the eradication of Child Labour in 2016.

Mr. Guy Thijs is Director of the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour, at the International Labour Organization in Geneva. He recently took part in an interagency consultation (FAO, IFAD, WFP, IFPRI, IPGRI, IFAP, IUF), in Rome, to discuss a co-ordinated awareness campaign against Child Labour in agriculture in 2007. He explains: Listen To MP3 Thijs Sound Bite (2 min MP3)

Audio, International

Nitrogen Cycling Around Canada

Chuck Zimmerman

Agrotain Nitrogen CycleI guess the Agrotain Nitrogen Cycle was such a big hit that it’s on display at farm shows in Canada now.

“The response to the bike at agricultural trade shows in the United States last year was phenomenal,” says Steve Phillips, VP North American Ag Sales. “The Nitrogen Cycle drew a lot of interest, and farmers were asking us a lot of questions about it! It’s a great tool to draw attention to our message of how to minimize nitrogen loss, in an eye-catching and fun way. I can also see this bike getting great attention at the Canadian shows we’ll attend.”

The Nitrogen Cycle will be on display at major agricultural trade shows early in 2007, such as the Crop Production Show, Saskatoon, SK from January 8 to 11, 2007, Manitoba Ag Days, Brandon, MB from January 16 to 18, 2007, Farm Tech, Edmonton, AB from January 24 to 26, 2007 and the CAAR Convention, Calgary, AB from February 6 to 8, 2007.

Agribusiness, Farm Shows

We ain’t seen nothing yet

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensThe World Harvest for Kids was significant in many ways, but to me once I tallied up the media outlets I had touched in some way directly and indirectly, and the number of mediums I had used to get there, it blew me away.

Without sounding like I’m blowing my own horn overly much, let me explain. When Ray Wieler, the organizer of World Harvest for Kids contacted me about getting some exposure, I had no idea it would explode in the manner if did. My thanks go to all the different media outlets for catching the vision, and playing your part in getting the word out there. Today, I had a note from an editor in Quebec who wanted to use a combine picture, and tell the story about the camp. Read More

International

Past Presidents of the St. Louis Ag Club

Chuck Zimmerman

St. Louis Ag Club Past PresidentsI’m not even going to try to identify these people.

These are the past presidents of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club.

Also pictured is the current president, Brett Cude. We don’t want to imply he’s “past” yet.

Ag Groups

Gateway NAMA President

Chuck Zimmerman

Becky RasmussenToday’s luncheon is a joint meeting of the Gateway NAMA chapter along with the St. Louis Ag Club.

Here’s Gateway NAMA President, Becky Rasmussen, Drake & Co., filling us in on our next meeting.

I don’t have the details with me but you’ll find them shortly on the Gateway NAMA website.

NAMA

Honoring The Past President

Chuck Zimmerman

Dean Dittmar & Brett CudeThe immediate past president of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club is Dean Dittmar, Ag Education Field Advisor, Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education (l).

He was presented with an award for his service to the organization by current President, Brett Cude, Farm Manager, Real Estate Broker, Farmers National Company (r).

Dean has agreed to take over the management of the St. Louis Ag Club and is the person who did a lot of the work to make today’s very successful luncheon happen.

Ag Groups

Sec. Johanns on Farmer Internet Use

Chuck Zimmerman

MediaI didn’t get to do a one-on-one interview with Secretary Johanns after his speech here in St. Louis today. There were a number of local media here as you can see. So we just did a joint q&a session.

One of my questions I thought you’d be interested in had to do with broadband internet access. I asked the Secretary his thoughts on farmer’s use of computers and the internet and he shared a personal story about a recent farm visit where he saw the use of the internet in action.

Listen to his answer here: Listen to MP3 Sec. of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Farmer Internet Use (1 min MP3)

Audio, Internet, USDA