The USDA has a series of PSA’s on avian influenza. They don’t use the line in my title but they could.
You can listen to one of them here. (30 sec MP3)
Podcast Your News Release
I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while. I know some of you companies out there use PR Web. Heck, we’re a proponent and use them as an add-on to our AgNewsWire.AgWired.com service. I am also one of their subscribing reporters. It’s a different world than the old days in media!
The idea of podcasting for news release clients is an interesting one. We’ve considered it for AgNewWire. I still wonder who listens and how they find these podcasts. It’s PR Web Podcasts which is still in “beta.” Actually I think everything on the web is in constant beta.
I mean, we’re talking a lot of podcasts here. Just visit this site and have your iTunes ready. There’s pages of podcasts to subscribe to or download. I guess I’ll try a few myself to see what they’re like and then I’ll report back.
You won’t find bigger proponents of podcasting. I’m just trying to figue out how they distribute/promote these things. Look for more on this soon.
Canadian Farmer Biotech Advocate
At the recent BIO Convention I got to speak with Canadian farmer Jim Pallister. Jim was attending thanks to the Council for Biotechnology Information. Jim grows canola, edible beans and wheat. He’s an outspoken advocate of the benefits of biotechnology.
You can listen to my interview with Jim here: 
Jim Pallister Interview (3 min MP3)
AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: 
Ultrasound to Measure Marbling in Pork
Researchers in Manitoba are attempting to harness the power of ultrasound to provide a live animal assessment of the amount of marbling in pork. Scientists with Swine Research and Development Corporation in Brandon have found marbling results in a distinct pattern in an ultrasound image.
Dr. Bob McKay says ultrasound can show whether or not there is marbling in the meat and now scientists want to quantify how much there is. Read More
Cotton Leadership Is Fabric of our Lives
It’s time to submit your application for the Cotton Leadership Class of 2006. This program is managed by the National Cotton Council through a grant to the Cotton Foundation from Dupont Crop Protection. You can find out how to apply on the Cotton Leadership Program’s web site.
The NCC’s Cotton Leadership Program is geared to individuals who have the potential and desire to become leaders for the US cotton industry. Participants receive developmental training during five week-long sessions across the Cotton Belt. The class interacts with industry leaders and visits farms, processing operations and research facilities. They also meet with lawmakers and government agency representatives during a visit to Washington, DC, and attend the NCC’s annual meeting and its mid-year board of directors meeting.
Commanding Attention
Only when someone like House Ag Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte talks do farm broadcasters listen.
That’s not really true or fair but considering the NAFB’ers pictured are Evan Slack and Bill Ray I’m okay with it. Just kidding guys.
I’m sure they have plenty of good information to bring back to their listeners after this Washington Watch session.
NAFB Goes To Washington
I didn’t get to attend the NAFB Washington Watch this year but thanks to Executive Director, Bill O’Neill, we’ve got pictures.
One of the highlights each year is gathering around the big table at USDA. In this picture NAFB members are meeting with Undersecretary for Rural Development Tom Dorr, Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner and Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman.
At another meeting the group got to hear from Senate Ag Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss. These meetings always provide the reporters attending an opportunity to ask questions, learn more about what’s happening in DC and better serve their listening audience back home.
The next meeting for NAFB will be the annual convention this November 15-17 in Kansas City.
Mid MO Ag Leaders
For almost 2 years we’ve been coordinating (with a little help from our friends) the Mid Missouri Agricultural Leaders Luncheon. Yesterday was our next to last one before someone new takes over. Wayne Yokley, Chairman of the Missouri State Fair, Youth In Agriculture Foundation, was our speaker.
Each month we hold a meeting in either Jefferson City or Columbia, MO. We’ll have from 15 to 75 people show up. There’s no dues, bank account, committees or committment (except for the coordinators). I’m amazed that we usually have more people attend than many of the organizations I belong to that have a formal administrative and legal structure. I think people like the informality and lack of pressure.
BTW. Wayne did a great job and you are encouraged to always support youth in agriculture wherever you are.
The Elegant Pork
I am seriously amazed that I’ve been blogging on this business for more than a year now. I get reminders, like when I go to save an image and see last year’s in the folder. Like this story. And now we have a new winner this year:
Klaus Happel, executive chef at the Renaissance Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., won top honors in the 17th annual national Taste of Elegance contest May 1 in Orlando, Fla. The competition, sponsored by the Pork Checkoff, featured 22 chefs, all winners of state and regional Taste of Elegance contests. Chef Happel earned Chef Par Excellence honors with his winning entrée of Braised Pork Shank Medallion Wrapped in Savoy Cabbage and a check for $5,000. Klaus is pictured with President Donita Rodibaugh and President Elect Wayne Peugh.
Other chefs that received honors at the contest include Ron Bohnert of the Stoneridge Golf Club in Stillwater, Minn. who earned the Superior Chef Award and $2,000 with his Trilogy of Pork and Dominic Rivera of ARAMARK in Moline, Ill., who earned the Premium Chef Award and $1,000 with his Sassa Frass Braised Pork Shoulder with Peaches, Goat Cheese & Watercress.
The other five finalists in the 2006 National Taste of Elegance contest were:
Paul M. Evans, Jr. of the Renaissance Golf Club in Sun City Center, Fla.; Steven J. Oakley of Oakley’s Bistro in Indianapolis, Ind.; Matt Wolff of Innovative Gourmet in Owings Mills, Md.; Jake Robinson of St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. and Kevin Storm of Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Mo.
Hey, Pork Checkoff people. I’m still interested in judging
Mosaic Re-structuring Phosphate Business
The Mosaic Company is doing some re-structuring which includes closing several Florida phosphate fertilizer production plants and mines. It looks like that will mean less jobs but they’ll still have about 3,000 employees just in Florida. The company expects this to help the bottom line of course and keep them competitive in their pricing.
Mosaic expects the indefinite closures will result in the elimination of over 700 jobs. “These decisions were not easy because they impact many of our colleagues who have put forward their best effort, and whose skills will undoubtedly continue to benefit employers and communities in central Florida. We are very grateful for the contributions each has made to our phosphate organization,” Corrigan said. “At the same time, however, we are establishing a stronger foundation for Mosaic’s future and improved long-term opportunities for the approximately 3,000 remaining Florida employees who will be working to see Mosaic realize its full potential in the years ahead.”
Mosaic will continue to own the affected facilities and will work with appropriate regulatory agencies to comply with the requirements of any applicable laws and regulations which relate to its phosphate restructuring activities. Employees affected by Mosaic’s restructuring will be eligible for benefits under applicable Mosaic policies, contractual commitments and federal law.
You can read more about the whole deal here, including lots of information about their production capabilities.