2nd International Symposium on Agroterrorism

Chuck Zimmerman

International Symposium on AgroterrorismThe second annual International Symposium on Agroterrorism is coming up September 25 – 29 in Kansas City, MO.

FBI Director Robert Mueller, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Cargill vice president of food security Michael Robach are just a few of the invited presenters anticipated to attend the 2006 International Symposium on Agroterrorism (ISA). With a primary focus on U.S. food security and safety, the conference will encompass all facets of the food chain to foster exchange of ideas on prevention, detection and investigation of agroterrorism.

In addition, the event will feature the “Protect Our Food” Expo, sponsored by food360º, a division of Vance Publishing Corp. Designed to support interaction with decision makers across the board, the expo offers exposure to industry leaders from traditional agricultural production, food processing, government, science, education, law enforcement, and emergency response.

Food, International

The Place For NAIS

Cindy Zimmerman

NIAA SWG I have been here at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture ID INFO Expo in Kansas City working on their virutal press room. Pretty cool idea, actually. I sent out a document file to agricultural media yesterday with links to interviews I did with all the representatives of the Species Working Group for the National Animal Identification System, as well as their power point presentations and some pictures, like this one. The working press here also received a flash drive which includes the presentations and other information and allows them to download everything that is available, which is very cool.

Today, we are hearing from Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, who is making a presentation to the group, taking questions and holding a press conference. Then, I have the honor of being one of two personal interviews with the Secretary and I plan to ask him about a variety of issues, including animal ID, disaster aid, farm bill, food vs. fuel.

Thanks to TRI-MERIT™, a single-source animal tracking and verification program powered by Global Animal Management, Inc. (GAM), sponsoring the pressroom at the ID INFO Expo.

Animal Health

Let’s Think Big In Dallas

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Convention 2007I’m ready to Think Big after being on a NAMA Convention Steering Committee conference call Monday. That’s the theme of next year’s conference.

I’m leading the Trade Show Committee and hope to have our first committee conference call soon. If you’re a regular exhibitor or have considered it, I’d love your thoughts and input.

Hyatt DallasThe conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas.

Steering committee members include: Barry Nelson, John Deere Agricultural Marketing Center (Agri-Marketing Conference Chair); Jim Haist, Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications (Best of NAMA Chair); Steve Tomac, John Deere Agricultural Marketing Center (Careers Chair); and Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm/AgWired.com (Trade Show Chair).

By the way, the conference logo was designed courtesy of Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications.

NAMA

Cooking Up The Beast Feast

Chuck Zimmerman

Citrus Expo Beast Feast PreparationI’m posting onto Southeast AgNet’s news blog from Citrus Expo so feel free to check it out. I’m also going to be doing some posts here too.

Like this one. We’ll have some more pictures of tomorrow’s Beast Feast here at Citrus Expo but the preparations are underway now.

Here’s part of the catering crew, including Denise Sullivan (far right) getting things ready. On the left they’re making elk meat balls. The feast will include fried alligator and swamp cabbage.

Mmmm. Mmmm.

I interviewed Denise who is the wife of Buddy Sullivan, Buddy’s Kuntry Katering. She says they brought in a swamp cabbage chef from Kissimmee who makes the best in the state and they had to ship in the elk from Texas. You can hear my interview with Denise here: Listen To MP3 Denise Sullivan Interview (3 min MP3)

Audio, Citrus

Citrus Blogging Time

Chuck Zimmerman

Citrus Expo Media SectionIsn’t this a hard working crew? I’m in Ft. Myers now for the 2006 Citrus Expo and we’re set up in the Lee Civic Center. It’s set up day for exhibitors, including Southeast AgNet, owner and manager of the Expo.

Here you’ve got Southeast AgNet President, Gary Cooper, (left), yours truly in the middle and Southeast AgNet Programming Manager, Randall Weiseman (right).

I interviewed Gary in between him doing his radio shows and answering questions from exhibitors. Gary says this is the company’s first year running the Expo since they purchased Citrus Industry Magazine and the Expo. He expects at least 1,200 people per day for the show and says that one of the neat new features is a “Beast Feast” lunch. I’m sure we’ll have more on that later.

You can hear my interview with Gary here: Listen To MP3 Interview with Gary Cooper (4 min MP3)

Audio, Citrus, Media

NPPC Voices Concern Over Proposed Canadian Ban of Carbadox

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensThe US based National Pork Producers Council is expressing its concern over a Health Canada proposal to restrict even more the use of Carbadox in Canada. Carbadox is an antibiotic used to protect against swine dysentery in the nursery phase.

Canada authorized its use in the early 1970’s but in 2001, Health Canada issued a stop sale order on the product and withdrew its drug identification numbers in 2004. Now Health Canada is proposing to restrict its use further, to ensure no residues of the drug or its metabolites end up in pork products.

National Pork Producers Council president Joy Philippi says the approval for Carbadox has been around for 35 years. She’s convinced its 42-day withdrawal period is sufficient to guard against residues. “Carbadox is actually fed in the earlier stages of life for pigs and we know, because of the 42 day withdrawal period, there’s no residue from that drug in the meat at slaughter,” said Philippi. “What’s been brought forward is, whether meat that has been fed Carbadox could go to Canada. If we can not export meat into Canada that’s been fed Carbadox, it’ll have a tremendous impact on the US pork industry as far as our economic viability.” Read More

International

Champion Cherry Seed Spitter

Chuck Zimmerman

World Champion Seed SpitterThis is what happens in Norway after you’ve been drinking too many shots of Aquavit. Why else would you have a Sweet Cherry Pit Spitting Contest? I mentioned this while I was attending the IFAJ Congress but didn’t know who won. Thanks to alert reader, Monique van Hal – Maas from the Netherlands she pointed me to the details from the IFAJ website.

Gavin Grobbelaar from South Africa (picture) is the world’s best Sweet Cherry pit spitter in 2006. Agricultural journalists from 16 countries around the whole world were participating at the World Championship in Sweet Cherry pit spitting. Grobbelaar spat the pit 12.8 meter. His closest competitor was Carlos Curci from Argentina who early in the competition took the leading position with a spit of 12.2 m and also Rasmus Lang-Ree from Norway with a spit of 11.1.m.

BTW. I didn’t spit any seeds but I did drink the Aquavit.

IFAJ

Potato Conference In Boise

Chuck Zimmerman

World Potato CongressWhat World Potato Congress? Well, the first one that’s going to be held in the United States, that’s what.

The National Potato Foundation is the coordinating body for the Sixth World Potato Congress to be held August 20-26, 2006 in Boise, Idaho. The 2006 event will be held for the first time in the United States in partnership with the World Potato Congress, Inc.

You can find registration information here and more about the World Potato Congress Farm Show here.

Ag Groups

Product of the Year Entry Deadline

Chuck Zimmerman

Agri Marketing MagazineHave you got a hot product and think it’s award winning? Then you’d better hurry to get your entry in for AgriMarketing’s annual Product of the Year award. Entries need to be submitted by Thursday, August 31.

To enter, go to http://www.agrimarketing.com/prodyearentry.pdf.

Last year’s winner was Trimble’s EZ Steer System. Other past winners include the Roundup Ready trait, John Deere’s 50 Series combine, and Syngenta’s Callisto herbicide. The winner will be featured in a special supplement to the November issue of AgriMarketing magazine, and receive special recognition at the venue of their choosing.

Agribusiness, Publication

Hoosier Ag Today On The Air

Chuck Zimmerman

Hoosier Ag TodayThere’s a new kid on the air in Indiana. No. Wait. He’s not new. He’s old. Or rather, he’s been on the air in Indiana for a long time. You know what I’m saying? He’s Gary Truitt and he’s announcing Hoosier Ag Today.

Truitt Communications is proud to announce the creation of Hoosier Ag Today, a series of radio programs hosted by veteran farm broadcaster Gary Truitt. These programs will focus exclusively on the issues and events that impact the Indiana agricultural community. “Indiana agriculture has experienced tremendous growth in the past 2 years, and we are going to tell the story of what this means to all 6.2 million Hoosiers,” said Truitt.

Hoosier Ag Today will fill a void that exists in Indiana farm broadcasting by providing in-depth, in-state coverage of the dynamic changes taking place in Indiana agriculture. With a team of farm broadcasters, Hoosier Ag Today will be in the field and in touch with listeners providing program content that is relevant to their farming operations and daily lives.

The Hoosier Ag Today concept has been greeted with enthusiastic support by Indiana farm leaders and broadcasters. “Your commitment to this critically important sector of economy is admirable and appreciated,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, who also serves as the state’s Secretary of Agriculture. “I like the way Gary is heading with Hoosier Ag Today because he is going to focus on Indiana agriculture,” noted Steve Lankford, General Manager of WRAY AM/FM in Princeton, IN.

Media