There seems to be no end to all the “Got Milk” stars. Here’s a new MilkPep “Got Milk” campaign poster with Freddy Adu, soccer star. The Egg Board has a soccer star too and now the milk people do too. So have a glass of milk with that omelette!
The ad copy reads, “Kick into gear. Get noticed. On and off the field. The protein in milk helps build muscle, and some studies suggest teens who choose it tend to be leaner. Staying active, eating right, and drinking 3 glasses a day of lowfat or fat free milk helps you look great. Score one for milk.” The ad debuts in the July 4th issue of Sports Illustrated.
Active Egg Eaters
The “Let’s Get A Sports Figure” strategy is still alive and well. The American Egg Board is teaming up with soccer star Kristine Lilly. They’re offering tips on healthy eating for active kids. It’s nice to know that not all kids are fat, lazy video game players. Seems that way sometimes from all the news media.
It’s that time of year when children trade in their school supplies for soccer cleats, skateboards and swimsuits. And moms know best that active kids are hungry kids. In fact, 98 percent of moms agree that healthy snacks give kids the nutrients and energy they need to perform well in sports and other summer activities, according to a new survey by the American Egg Board. However, more than three-quarters (76 percent) of moms admit they need help finding healthy snack ideas that are also kid-approved. In response, the American Egg Board has teamed up with U.S. soccer great Kristine Lilly and sports nutritionist Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, to educate moms on how they can provide healthy snacks that keep kids fit, satisfied and energized all summer long.
I’m still not sure why food has to be “kid-approved” though. Where I grew up you ate what was put in front of you or you went to bed hungry!
Korea-Japan Key Markets for Canadian Pork
The Canadian Pork Council has identified Korea and Japan as key markets with which the pork industry would like to see Canada aggressively pursue bilateral free trade arrangements. Recently, a coalition of nine Canadian agricultural groups, including the Canadian Pork Council, applauded transport minister David Emerson’s aggressive approach to negotiations for bilateral trade agreements and his commitment to accelerate efforts to clinch new trade deals.
CPC President Clare Schlegel notes increasingly Canada’s competition is working at bilateral arrangements to gain preferred market access so the coalition is absolutely behind the government’s efforts in the bilateral platform as well as the multilateral front. Read More
We’re In Illinois Now
Upon arrival in Illinois today we were greeted by a bunch of folks, including Jim Robbins, Illinois Corn Marketing Board.
Jim is a corn grower in Illinois right below Chicago. He spoke to our convoy group about the good things ethanol brings to America. He also commented on how important the interstate highway system is for transporting agricultural commodities.
I interviewed Jim prior to his speech: 
Jim Robbins Interview (4 min MP3)
Ag Coalition Applauds Bilateral Trade Efforts
A coalition of Canadian agricultural commodity groups and private companies is applauding the federal government’s aggressive approach to negotiations for bilateral trade agreements.
In March a coalition, representing nine groups sent a letter to federal trade Minister David Emerson warning aggressive moves by competing nations, particularly the United States, in signing bilateral trade deals was eroding Canada’s competitiveness in key markets. In a recent speech, Emerson indicated Canada has rested on its resource laurels falling behind in the race to sign trade deals and announced the federal government plans to accelerate efforts to clinch new trade agreements. Read More
Wireless Rest Areas
I know it’s not new or exclusive but I couldn’t help but notice how the rest areas in Iowa now offer wireless internet access.
It’s part of our world. I can’t tell you how often I have wanted to find a hot spot when I’ve been on the highway.
I’ll be posting more over the weekend as we get to Chicago.
Dueling Satellite Radio Update
It’s time for an update to my cross country, side-by-side, dueling satellite radio contest. I really don’t have a clue which one is going to win this yet.
I’ve noticed that I don’t lose the XM signal going through tunnels or under bridges, even long ones. I lose the Sirius signal right away. That’s kind of major.
However, Sirius has a channel called “The Vault.” That is my music and XM has nothing that I’ve heard that even comes close. In fact, I find myself changing channels on XM to land on songs I want to listen to.
Sirius has bragged about getting Howard Stern but I see this as a major negative. Why in the world would I want to listen to a profanity spewing talk show that focuses on sex? I think it’s repulsive and considered cancelling my subscription when Howard was announced. Of course I just don’t listen.
Both services have good news choices like Fox and CNN. However, sometimes it gets annoying to hear the announcer describe something you can’t see.
Well, that’s all on this subject for now. I’ve also had a couple days when I never got to listen at all due to phone calls and press conference stops. And of course, I still listen to my podcasts on my iPod!
Commissioner Cahn on Ethanol
If you ever need someone to set up a tailgate party for you then the Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe Cahn is your man. He was out in the sun tailgating here in Omaha for the AASHTO Celebrate the Interstate Convoy again today.
This time we were treated to some excellent jambalaya and bratwurst. He’s a great guy with an awesome perspective and outlook on life and I’m glad to have met him.
Before saying goodbye to Joe I got this little video clip to share with you. Joe says corn is hard to find in Nebraska to cook with and explains why: 
Commissioner Cahn on Ethanol (1 min WMV)
Ethanol Blend In Nebraska
Our convoy is in Omaha, NE now. We’ve got a morning press conference then a display at the QWest Center. Yesterday we finally found a fuel stop that blended ethanol in its gasoline.
I interviewed the Travel Center of America shop manager, Bill Buettner, and found out that he’s also a corn grower and ethanol enthusiast.
Bill says that since they’ve labelled their pumps and blended ethanol he hasn’t really had much feedback from customers. He assumes that’s because consumers accept it more now than they used to.
Here’s my interview with Bill: Bill Buettner Interview (2 min MP3)
Making Progress In Cheyenne
Blogging time is a challenge on a long road trip and I’m on a LONG road trip. Tomorrow’s going to be a 502 mile segment of this convoy trip from Cheyenne to Omaha with 2 stops on the way.
At our morning press conference today, Bill Newman (left), Safety Manager for Wyoming Ethanol drove up in Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal’s E85 GM Avalanche. It was nice to see someone from the ethanol industry on hand. The Wyoming Department of Transportation pointed the vehicle out to attendees and the brightly wrapped truck caught a lot of eyes.
Bill followed the convoy on to Cheyenne after the event. Before leaving though I asked Bill a few questions, including telling us a little about Wyoming Ethanol.
Listen to Bill: Bill Newman Interview (1 min MP3)