Michigan Governor Pumps Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

MI Governor Jennifer GranholmAt yesterday’s ethanol pump promotion Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, lent a hand. She pumped gas along with several Indy Car drivers like Kosuke Matsura, Vitor Meira, Buddy Rice and Jeff Simmons. There was a lot of media on hand. In this picture I was asking the questions and taking the picture. My mic is one of the ones you see. We got 231 cars through between 11:15am and 12:45pm and pumped 3,202 gallons of E10.

Here’s a sound bite from Governor Granholm: Listen to MP3 Granholm On Ethanol (1 min MP3)

Audio, Ethanol

Pork Has Peugh

Chuck Zimmerman

Wayne PeughThe National Pork Board has a new president.

The National Pork Board has elected Wayne Peugh, a pork producer from Edelstein, Ill., as its new president. He succeeds Danita Rodibaugh, an Indiana producer who remains on the board. Board members also elected Lynn Harrison, a producer from Elk Mound, Wis., vice president. Both will serve one year terms.

“We achieved great success under Danita’s leadership,” Peugh said, “and I welcome the challenge of building on that success.

“With producers’ investment in the Pork Checkoff, we completed a major nutritional study that found that not only are most major cuts of pork considerably leaner than they were just 15 years ago, but that a serving of pork tenderloin is as lean as a serving of boneless, skinless chicken breast. This is incredibly positive news for the future of our producers and we will be promoting this aggressively to consumers.

Ag Groups, Pork

Blogging From A Treo

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello from Chicago Midway. I had to check my bag with my laptop so I’m experimenting with my Palm Treo. I’ll be back in full gear tomorrow.

Today I was covering an ethanol pump promotion in Detroit for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. We sold 3,202 gallons of E10 gas in 1 1/2 hours and had the Governor of Michigan on hand pumping gas too. Read more on Domestic Fuel.

Uncategorized

Margy Fischer Is Machinery Editor

Chuck Zimmerman

Margy FischerIt’s great to see former AgWired student blogger, Margy Fischer developing her career.

Margy Fischer, a 2006 agricultural journalism graduate of the University of Missouri, has been named Machinery Editor and Assistant Test Plot Director of FARM JOURNAL, the nation’s leading agricultural magazine. In making the announcement, FARM JOURNAL Editor Charlene Finck said, “We are very pleased to have someone of Margy’s capability to report on machinery, which is vitally important to our readers. In addition, she will contribute her talents and enthusiasm to our Test Plots, now in their 15th year, which help farmers apply a systems approach to crop production.” Formerly Machinery Editor of the magazine, Finck is also Director of the Test Plot program and works closely with FARM JOURNAL Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie.

Together with articles in the magazine, Fischer will also contribute to machinery and test plot coverage on www.agweb.com, Farm Journal Media’s Internet portal.

Publication

Loos Tales Podcast

Chuck Zimmerman

Loos TalesI’ve got some serious updating to do on my blog and podcast pages after this week of learning about new ones in agriculture. Like Loos Tales which you’ll find on Feedstuffs website. Loos Tales is produced by Trent Loos.

Trent LoosTrent Loos, a sixth generation U.S. farmer with a background in livestock production, produces a daily radio show called “Loos Tales” that airs on more than 100 radio stations across the U.S. For Feedstuffs, Loos writes a weekly opinion column and produces daily “Loos Tales for Feedstuffs” audio shows. “Loos Tales for Feedstuffs” is made possible by the United Egg Producers.

So, if you miss his show or can’t hear it on a local radio station then guess where you can get it.

Podcasts, Publication

Rhea & Kaiser Attends GCN Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

Rhea & KaiserNow we know why Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications really joined the Global Communications Network. To get to have meetings in places like Italy! Jim Haist was the lucky representative.

Global Communications Network (GCN) agencies recently gathered for their annual business meeting, this year at the home of partner agency espirit hb in Milan, Italy. Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications, a GCN member, was represented by Senior Vice President Jim Haist, who serves as the agency’s primary contact with GCN. The meeting included leaders from network members in Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden and Poland.
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Agencies

Science Extends Shelf Life of Fresh Meat

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensA food science professor with the University of Manitoba says processors have dramatically increased the shelf life of fresh meat products using new sanitation compounds and procedures, tighter temperature controls, and new packaging materials.

The investigation and control of factors that cause spoilage in meat will be among the topics explored next month in Calgary when the Canadian Meat Council hosts a symposium on advanced methods in quality control of meat and meat products. Read More

International

Spafford With Hall of Fame Award

Chuck Zimmerman

Amber SpaffordLast night I ran into Amber Spafford, Osborn & Barr Communications, who received this year’s Livestock Publications Council Hall of Fame Award.

Amber has had a leadership role in LPC for about 20 years and served as president in 1990. Very nice Amber and congratulations.

Ag Media Summit, Agencies, LPC

Reception Time

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time to do a little recepting here at the AMS. Starting now we have the BASF Media reception. Then it’s off to the Awards Celebrations Reception, combined AAEA and LPC. Then they have their awards dinners before getting back together for the Dessert Reception.

I’ll get back to you after enjoying a little reception time.

Ciao.

Ag Media Summit

NASS Is Podcasting

Chuck Zimmerman

NASS RSS & PodcastsI always learn a lot when I teach a workshop. Sometimes I think I learn as much as the people who are attending.

Here’s a good example. I learned that the National Agricultural Statistic Services has added podcasts to their website. NASS has contracted with the National Association of Farm Broadcasting to have them produce these audio reports.

Besides the audio podcasts NASS also has RSS feeds of their reports you can subscribe to.

Ag Media Summit, NAFB, Podcasts, USDA