How I Blog – Part Two

Chuck Zimmerman

In the first post in this series I wrote out a list of all the hardware and software I use with links to all of them. In this post I’m going to address what I do with all that. There are any number of ways to blog and everyone will develop their own style and processes. A lot depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, on several of our blogs I’m posting as a reporter and often on location from an event. If all you’re trying to do is an infrequent post about your company you may not need to use many of my techniques. So take what you will from this and email me if you’ve got questions or suggestions.

So let’s get started:

To begin with I normally post while I’m online. Some people may compose their posts offline and save them until they get online. I see no need to wait most of the time and am ready to publish my posts as soon as I compose them. With my computer online I then open up my blog admin panel (WordPress). Then I’ll open up Outlook, Photoshop, Ipswitch FTP_Pro and Windows Explorer. I’ll usually have several windows of Internet Explorer open too. This let’s me search for websites to link to and check my post quickly to make sure I didn’t mess anything up. Read More

Uncategorized

Low Linolenic Beans May Help KFC

Chuck Zimmerman

Kentucky Fried ChickenYou’ve probably heard by now that some idiots are suing Kentucky Fried Chicken. If not, read more about it in this story. Here’s an excerpt, “The suit seeks to force the KFC chain to stop cooking with trans fat or clearly warn customers about the health hazard.”

Although KFC thinks it’s a frivolous lawsuit, I think that word is too nice. Hey, doctor and idiotic organization, “Go eat somewhere else and leave my KFC alone!”

Of course, there may be another option. Thanks to alert AgWired readers at Monsanto they pointed out that: This type of news confirms that there is a high demand for heart-healthier soybean oils. Because of its low-linolenic acid profile, oil from VISTIVE soybeans do not need to be partially hydrogenated, thereby removing or eliminating trans fats. We expect to see more consumers demanding lower trans fats in their foods, and we think VISTIVE can help meet that demand.

Agribusiness, Food, Soybean

A Nicer Tractor

Chuck Zimmerman

Billy YatesOne of the celebrities at the Michael Peterson/New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race on Sunday was Billy Yates. He had a great time and I’m very glad to have met him.

He took a few moments for an interview. Like many that I spoke with, he’s driven a tractor growing up, but not one as nice as the competition New Holland Boomer used in the competition. As you can hear in this sound bite he thinks marketing a tractor brand to country music fans only makes sense: Listen To MP3 Billy Says It Makes Sense (21 sec MP3)

You can listen to my interview with Billy here: Listen To MP3 Billy Yates Interview (1.5 min MP3)

Audio, Tractor

E85 Observations from the Road

Chuck Zimmerman

Rick TolmanI’m not the only one writing about ethanol on the road. So is Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. Rick’s posting some road commentary on E85 which you can find on this page. It’s not quite blogging but it’s close. Here’s an excerpt from his last post:

Yesterday, I reported on the state of E85 pricing and availability as my wife, Linda, and me set out on our road trip to St. Paul, Minn. I went so far as to characterize the pricing and availability as “ugly.” I am optimistic as we travel onward that pricing and availability will improve. There is only one E85 station in the greater St. Louis area (although the NEVC Web site www.e85fuel.com lists 59 stations in all of Missouri). Illinois has nearly twice the number of stations—122—so I am hopeful the E85 infrastructure is improving.

I think it’s great stuff that NCGA members will appreciate reading. You can also hear a report from Rick on the post too.

Ag Groups, Audio, Ethanol

Moo-ving On

Chuck Zimmerman

Steve Taylor Missouri Beef Industry Council Executive Director Steve Taylor, one of our favorite “cowboys,” just gave us the news that he will soon be riding off into the sunset. He’s heading west to become the CEO of the Appaloosa Horse Club in Moscow, Idaho. Steve has been ED of the MBIC for 19 years so he thinks it’s time to giddy-up and move on. He’s been a horse lover since he was a youngster so he is excited about his new job. He will be sticking around until the end of July and says they expect to have an announcement about his replacement soon.

Beef, Horses

Support Ethanol On The Interstate

Chuck Zimmerman

Ethanol AdvocateIt’s about time to hit the blogging trail again. This time on a cross country interstate highway celebration tour.

How’s this look for an “ethanol advocate?” That’s me. I like the idea of growing our own fuel and for the next couple weeks I’ll be the official ethanol advocate representative for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council driving along with a convoy of participants in the AASHTO Celebrate The Interstate promotion. It’s all about celebrating the kickoff 50 years ago of our interstate system.

Follow along the route here. If you’re in the area at one of our stops, please come on out and show your support. Drive along with us if you’ve got an ethanol logo on your vehicle. How about it corn growers and corn grower groups? In your state we’d love to have your support along the highway. Email me if you’ve got questions and want to participate.

I’ll be blogging the whole event here but mostly on Domestic Fuel. There will be lots of interesting photos and interviews to see and hear. If you’re a reporter, you have my full permission to download and use whatever you see.

Ethanol

African Dairy Editor Honored

Chuck Zimmerman

Reg Weiss Receives AwardThe International Federation of Agricultural Journalists has presented a special award to their regional vice president for Africa. I’m taking this from their latest newsletter and thought you might be interested since Reg Weiss, has been honoured for his contributions to agriculture and specifically the South African dairy industry during 58 years in active journalism.

Western Cape Editor of the Dairy Mail in South Africa, Weiss was honoured at the South African Dairy Championships dinner held at Stellenbosch. Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society president Duimpie Bayly presented Weiss with an illuminated address on behalf of the Society, the first and oldest in southern Africa. This added his name to the Society’s roll of honour as part of its 175th celebrations and cited “his contribution to the dairy industry in South Africa, his enthusiasm for dairy matters, complemented with objective journalism”. Read More

IFAJ, International, Publication

New USB Members Appointed

Chuck Zimmerman

United Soybean BoardA couple of new members were recently appointed to open positions on the United Soybean Board. This of course now makes them high-ranking government officials from the “M” states.

In Maryland, soybean farmer G. Steve Moore of Sudlersville, will fill an opening and serve his term through 2007. In Minnesota, soybean farmer James Call of Madison, will fill an opening and serve his term through 2006. In Missouri, soybean farmer Richard Fordyce of Bethany, will fill an opening and serve his term through 2007.

Ag Groups

Omega-3 Pork gets USDA Label Approval

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensThis is great news for a Manitoba company that just doesn’t give up. Why has it been such slow slugging? “We’re the first,” says company president Willie Hoffmann of Winnipeg, MB Canada.
On June 8, Prairie Orchard Farms, under its Verdancia Farms Trademark, officially received label approval from the USDA to market their naturally Enriched Omega-3 Pork in the United States. This means the meat processor is the first naturally enriched Omega-3 pork producer to receive USDA approval in North America.

“We are extremely pleased to be North America’s first producer of naturally produced Omega-3 pork and will now be in a unique position of being able to export high quality, naturally produced Omega-3 enriched pork to the United States,” said Hoffmann. Read More

International

Farm Podcasting Proven

Chuck Zimmerman

SwinecastOne of the first agricultural podcasts is the Swinecast. I’ve been following it’s development since early last year and I can tell you this is no longer some sort of unproven concept. Ask Dennis Erpelding at Elanco Animal Health what he thinks. Kudos to Ned Arthur for taking a bold step into the new media world. We’re getting there buddy! I hope no one believes that a company like Eli Lilly would invest in this new technology without serious thought and the belief that it is helping them accomplish their customer communication goals.

Elanco’s innovative Internet “conversation” between swine producers and industry experts – celebrates its 100th episode by expanding its introduction to swine industry allies across the nation. “We’re pleased to invite the entire industry to become a part of this bold new Information-Age initiative,” says Ned Arthur, SwineCast Content Partner. “Over the past year, as we’ve slowly introduced SwineCast in test markets, the response from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve discovered that all segments of the swine production industry significantly benefit from an ongoing dialogue with each other, regardless of their location or nationality. That’s what SwineCast provides. That’s what we want to share with you.”

The concept behind SwineCast is simple. Read More

Agribusiness, Podcasts, Pork